JOSHUA Pacio was unsuccessful in his bid to become the first Filipino to hold two MMA championships in different divisions simultaneously after getting finished by ONE Flyweight World Champion Yuya Wakamatsu in the co-main event of ONE 173, Sunday at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo Japan.
The Lions Nation MMA representative and reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion suffered a second round TKO loss at the hands of the flyweight king 54 seconds into the second round.
A booming right straight from the hometown hero dropped “The Passion,” forcing the Filipino in the turtle position, before “Little Piranha” finished off the contest with brutal knees to Pacio’s head.
Pacio, viewed by many as the most decorated Filipino MMA fighter with his dominance as a seven-time strawweight champion, dropped to 23-5 for his career.
Pacio fails to sustain hot start
It was a solid start for the 29-year-old as he quickly wobbled Wakamatsu with a right-left hook combination before being forced into a wrestling battle from the cage, a position where the Japanese slowly took control of the bout.
Pacio tried to change levels by going for a double-leg, but Wakamatsu was ready for it, took Pacio’s back and eventually smothered him with his physicality, dragging down the Filipino and raining down punches – a position he kept until the end of the first round.
The pride of Baguio City gamely exchanged strikes with the bigger Wakamatsu to open the second round, but that fight didn’t last long as Wakamatsu connected on that huge combination to end the Filipino’s dreams of becoming a two-division MMA World Champion.
By winning his fifth straight, Wakamatsu defended his flyweight crown for the first time and improved to 20-6 for his career.
Superbon unifies Featherweight Kickboxing title
In the main event, Superbon Singha Mawynn became the undisputed ONE Featherweight Kickboxing Title after beating former interim champion Masaaki Noiri.
Noiri couldn't replicate his big moment from early this year when he shocked Tawanchai PK. Saenchai to win the interim crown at ONE 172 also in Japan as Superbon showcased his technical prowess enroute to a unanimous decision win.
The win improved Superbon's incredible record to 117-37 while Noiri dropped to 51-14.
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