Conan Altatis, Joshua Pacio

Representing Team Lakay of Baguio City, Philippines, Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, 22, was an undefeated professional mixed martial artist from late 2013 to mid-2016. With much preparation and confidence, he is unfazed as he faces an undefeated Thai opponent at “ONE: Reign of Kings” on July 27, 2018.

Pacio joined ONE Championship in 2016. In the same year, he defeated his fellow Filipino Rabin Catalan and Thai fighter Kritsata Kongsrichai before losing to the reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito of Japan.

After losing to Naito, Pacio shocked the MMA community as he conquered Thai martial arts legend Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in 2017. In the same year, however, it was followed by yet another loss to a Japanese martial arts veteran, Hayato Suzuki.

Before 2017 ended, Pacio scored a redemptive win by defeating fellow Filipino fighter Roy Doliguez. In early 2018, the Team Lakay fighter defeated his Chinese opponent Ming Qiang Lan.

Now riding a two-bout winning streak, Pacio will compete against Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit of Thailand at “ONE: Reign of Kings” in the strawweight division. The two were present during the press conference on July 24, 2018 at the City of Dreams Manila in Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

During the press conference, I asked Pacio whether or not he is intimidated by the fact that Mitsatit is an undefeated fighter. The Team Lakay fighter confidently replied, “No.”

“I have faced top contenders of this division,” Pacio explained. For him, his experience with the martial arts vetarans such as Naito, Suzuki and Amnuaysirichoke will give him the edge over Mitsatit.

Pacio also pointed out that he also was once undefeated. On the other hand, this does not mean that he is underestimating the undefeated Thai fighter.

“My opponent is a well-rounded fighter also,” Pacio said of Mitsatit. For the Team Lakay fighter, it is about who between them will execute their respective game plans properly.

Watch my full interview with Pacio here: