Yuya Wakamatsu intrigued by contrast of styles against Joshua Pacio at ONE 173: “I think they match up well”

Reigning ONE flyweight MMA world champion Yuya Wakamatsu of Japan won’t be caught off guard by any surprises from his challenger Joshua Pacio.

'Little Piranha' will look to defend his crown against the strawweight MMA kingpin at ONE 173 in Tokyo on Nov. 16.

Knowing what ‘The Passion’ brings to the table, Wakamatsu is pulling out all the stops in training to ensure the belt stays in Japan.

In a ONE Championship interview, the Japanese KO machine expressed confidence that his suffocating fighting style will overcome the Filipino’s versatility:

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"My own style is to apply pressure, stepping in and then stepping back out. So when I compare our styles, I think they match up well."

Wakamatsu is eager to usher in his reign as the 135-pound ruler with a successful title defense against a formidable adversary seeking two-division glory.

The 30-year-old superstar knows Pacio’s striking arsenal is dangerous, his grappling skills are world-class, and his fight IQ is off the charts.

However, Wakamatsu believes his devastating counter-striking is a problem for the entire division, even for a decorated champion like Pacio.

Furthermore, Wakamatsu also trusts the growth he has made over the years and is confident he has found the key to victory.

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Joshua Pacio predicts how he'll beat Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE 173

Joshua Pacio sees two-division glory in his immediate future.

While the Filipino acknowledges that achieving history won't be easy, he has bared his heart and soul in preparation for this monumental feat.

'The Passion' shared with ONE Championship:

"We're going to Japan to win. I see myself getting my hand raised by the end of the night. If the knockout won't come, it'll probably be by unanimous decision or submission."

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Edited by Aziel Karthak