Knockouts write the best championship stories. Yuya Wakamatsu plans to write his first title defense by knocking Joshua Pacio out of consciousness in front of his hometown crowd.
The reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion defends his gold against the ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion on AN 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
His title-winning performance against former champion Adriano Moraes at ONE 172 last March showed exactly why he is one of MMA’s most entertaining fighters. Wakamatsu provided several highlights during his journey to the top, but none were more impressive than the Brazilian legend’s world title-winning demolition in front of his home fans.
Pacio represents a very different beast than anyone the champion has faced. The Filipino superstar has transformed from a wushu striking specialist into a complete attacking force with world-class wrestling skills. His second-round TKO victory over Jarred Brooks at ONE 171 last February proved his evolution into a legitimate threat in two divisions.
Wakamatsu believes he has discovered critical flaws in Pacio’s approach, which he plans to exploit. The champion sees their styles as perfectly matched for an explosive encounter that will test both men’s championship mettle under the brightest lights.
“I would say my style is more like out-boxing, but at the core I’m actually a counter-fighter. As for Pacio, if his opponent doesn’t engage, he will push forward aggressively. And if you charge in carelessly, he will catch you with a heavy counter,” he said.
“My own style is to press, get in and then get out. So when I compare our styles, I think they fit well together.”
Yuya Wakamatsu aims for historic knockout of Joshua Pacio
Yuya Wakamatsu has a mind-numbing knockout power in his fists that has served as the ultimate equalizer throughout his career. The 30-year-old has defeated formidable Filipino fighters in the past, including former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Geje Eustaquio and Pacio’s current Lions Nation MMA teammate Danny Kingad.
Now Wakamatsu wants to make history by becoming the first man to knock out Pacio. The Filipino legend has captured ONE Championship gold seven times, but has never finished inside the Circle. That record motivates the Japanese champion as he prepares for the biggest fight of his reign.
“In the heat of a high-profile fight, I want to show my stand-up game. It’s really a kill-or-be-killed feeling. I want to come out on top and catch my opponent clean. Knock him unconscious or drop him, then finish with ground-and-pound until the referee intervenes. That’s the ideal finish for me,” Wakamatsu said.
“He is a dangerous striker and a real all-rounder. He controls the fight very well. And he has knockout power with every blow. Knees, punches and kicks are all dangerous.”
#Yuya #Wakamatsu #aims #knockout #Joshua #Pacio #ideal #finish #BJPenn.com