“They show me my weaknesses” - Joshua Pacio grateful to former conquerors Jarred Brooks, Yoshitaka Naito

Undisputed ONE strawweight MMA world champion Joshua Pacio of the Philippines is grateful for his past setbacks.

According to 'The Passion', he learned a lot more about himself in defeat than in his victories.

Known as ONE Championship’s rematch king, Pacio looked back at some of the most intense rivalries he’s had throughout his dominant reign in the 125-pound MMA division.

The Filipino cited his early rivalry with Yoshitaka Naito and his most recent one with Jarred Brooks as catalysts to his growth as a martial artist.

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Pacio shared in a South China Morning Post (SCMP) interview:

"Because of them, I've been a champion. [I saw] my weaknesses – and I improved it. So it's like they're my teachers, and they show me my weaknesses. I need to improve this, I need to improve this. Then I'll fight them again. Then I'll prove to them that I improved my weaknesses. And sometimes I use their strength to defeat them."

Pacio had multiple reigns as strawweight MMA kingpin, losing his belt a couple of times, but somehow always managed to claw back and recapture it.

This resilience will be key in his quest to conquer a second division when he goes up in weight to challenge Yuya Wakamatsu for the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title on Nov. 16 at ONE 173 in Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.

Watch the full interview:

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Joshua Pacio wary of Yuya Wakamatsu's knockout power

Joshua Pacio knows a single lapse can cost him big time against a certified knockout artist like Yuya Wakamatsu.

'Little Piranha' displayed his ferocious finishing capabilities in March, when he blasted Adriano Moraes in one round to claim the title.

In the same SCMP interview, 'The Passion' expressed admiration for the Japanese champion:

"Knockout power. He has that knockout power, you know. And of course, I saw also how he improved his wrestling and grappling, and he learned from his mistakes. But I can see his career is like my career because, you know, we learn from our mistakes.”

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Edited by Aziel Karthak