Fresh off another triumph on the global stage, reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio made a courtesy visit to the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), where he was welcomed by GAB Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera and officials of the GAB Boxing and Other Contact Sports (BOCS) Division in recognition of his latest achievement and continued contributions to Philippine mixed martial arts.
Pacio recently reaffirmed his status as one of the world’s top mixed martial artists after successfully defending the ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship against Russian challenger Mansur Malachiev at ONE Championship: The Inner Circle 21 in Bangkok, Thailand.
He secured a first-round submission victory via rear-naked choke to further cement his place among the country’s elite MMA athletes.
Rivera congratulated Pacio and his team for once again bringing pride to the country.
“Your victory will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of aspiring Filipino martial artists.”
“You have made the country proud. Your victory will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of aspiring Filipino martial artists,” Rivera said.
Pacio and his team likewise underscored the value of scientific training, proper nutrition, hydration management, and modern weight-cutting practices in achieving peak performance while safeguarding athlete welfare.
“Evidence-based training—including sports nutrition, recovery, cross-training, and performance monitoring—has been instrumental in Pacio’s continued success on the world stage.”
They emphasized that evidence-based training—including sports nutrition, recovery, cross-training, and performance monitoring—has been instrumental in Pacio’s continued success on the world stage.
Pacio’s latest title defense further cements the Philippines’ growing presence in global combat sports, helping inspire and motivate the next generation of Filipino champions.
