Retooled Pacio ready to challenge Naito
AN IMPROVED Joshua Pacio promises to impress the crowd when he challenges reigning One Championship strawweight world champion Yoshitaka Naito in the main event of “Conquest of Heroes” set tonight (September 22) at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The main bout will be a rematch for both fighters as Pacio challenged Naito for the title but yielded to the much experienced Japanese fighter in the first round via a rear naked choke.
“My focus is on bringing that belt home to Baguio City. I admit I was very young and inexperienced in that first title shot. It’s different now. Training with my Team Lakay brothers, they have molded me into a complete fighter and I am ready to showcase my skills. Winning the belt means the world to me,” said Pacio.
Pacio added he has been preparing for the rematch improving his grappling and take down defense displaying his new found ground game in his last two bouts where he submitted his opponent.
The 22–year–old believes he has the talent to shock Naito where he plans to mix things up against the Japanese champion.
“When this fight was announced, it came out of nowhere. I have always said that I would wait patiently for a title shot and face anyone that ONE Championship put in front of me. I have stayed true to my word and now, I’m ready to take on the champion again,” added Pacio. “I think I will be able to shock him. I plan to show the champion that I am a completely different fighter this time. I have improved so much since we last saw each other.”
Naito is one of the most successful martial artists to ever emerge from Japan. In just four short years since debuting in 2012, the Japanese grappler conquered the notoriously competitive Japanese martial arts scene, capturing the Shooto Flyweight Title.
Since making his ONE Championship debut in 2016, Naito has captured the ONE strawweight world Championship on two occasions, defeating former champions Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke and Alex Silva.
“I have a lot of respect for Joshua Pacio, he is a very talented kid and a great martial artist. I have no doubt that one day, he will be champion. But that day hasn’t arrived yet. Right now, it’s my time. He will have his chance, but I am in the best condition of my career,” said Naito.
Also seeing action in the undercard is fellow Team Lakay Danny Kingad who is set to face top Japanese prospect Yuya Wakamatsu.
“I have learned a lot over the past year since my experience challenging for the ONE flyweight world championship,” said Kingad.
Kingad said much has been improved since vowing out to former champion Adriano Moraes.
“I can say that I have improved a lot since then. I am definitely more serious now when it comes to my training, especially that I am now a father. I think that has been the most evident in my last bout against Ma Hao Bin,” he added.
After seeing some of Wakamatsu's highlight reels, Kingad believes the Japanese fighter will be a tough assignment and will be ready whether the fight stays on their feet or down the ground. (Roderick Osis)