Joshua Pacio weighs in on strawweight MMA bouts at ONE Fight Night 25 

Joshua Pacio is not letting his ACL injury hinder his responsibility as the ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion.  

The Filipino superstar is actively following the developments in his weight class. His attention will be fully locked on ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video this Friday, October 4. There, two pivotal strawweight MMA bouts are booked to take place live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Second-ranked Bokang Masunyane locks horns with #5-ranked Mansur Malachiev on the card. Meanwhile, #4-ranked contender Hiroba Minowa goes up against Sanzhar Zakirov. 

Among the matchups, Pacio has a particular interest in the clash between Masunyane and Malachiev. 

Both men bring contrasting yet compelling wrestling pedigrees to the ring. This makes their three-round encounter one of the evening’s most intriguing duels. 

“As the champion, I’ll be watching this fight closely, especially since it features two top contenders in my division,” Pacio said. 

Pacio, who has firsthand experience with Malachiev as an opponent in October 2023, is acutely aware of the Russian’s evolving skill set. 

“Mansur dominates with takedowns and top control. If you let him impose his will, it could be over quickly. His striking is also improving, so he’s not someone to be taken lightly,” Pacio said. 

But “The Passion” is quick to highlight Masunyane’s athleticism, a key factor that Malachiev cannot afford to underestimate. 

“Bokang is a versatile fighter. He can strike effectively on his feet and grapple extensively on the ground. But don’t underestimate his athleticism — that’s where he truly stands out,” Pacio said. 

Joshua Pacio prioritizes third fight against Jarred Brooks

For Joshua Pacio, the showdown between Bokang Masunyane and Mansur Malchiev holds significant implications.  

A win for either man could fast-track his trajectory toward a shot at the division’s top prize. 

While the champion is more than willing to defend his belt against anyone, Pacio remains clear on one thing. He’s eager to settle his unfinished business with American rival Jarred Brooks in a rubber match. 

“I’m not making any predictions, but whoever comes out on top, I’m ready. I’m a warrior, and I’ll face either of them,” he said. 

“Ideally, I want Jarred Brooks next once I get the green light to return, but whether it’s Brooks or the winner of this fight, I’ll be prepared.”