Published 42 days ago
Explosive showdown between the KO king and the grappling specialist at EBARA WAVE Arena
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On November 18 in Tokyo, Joshua "The Passion" Pacio will defend his ONE strawweight title against undefeated Keito "Pocket Monk" Yamakita. This clash of styles pits the KO specialist against the grappling expert, promising an intense tactical battle.
To remember:
- Joshua "The Passion" Pacio defends his ONE strawweight title against Keito "Pocket Monk" Yamakita on November 18 at EBARA WAVE Arena in Tokyo.
- Pacio, a three-time champion and KO specialist (19 wins by KO/TKO), faces Yamakita, a grappling expert undefeated since 2023.
- Yamakita, with 6 career submission wins, aims to dominate on the ground against a champion with an impressive record (15 wins in 20 ONE fights).
- Pacio’s 79% finish rate and Yamakita’s takedowns (4 submissions in his last 6 fights) promise an intense tactical duel.
The EBARA WAVE Arena in Ota, Tokyo, is set to shake on November 18 with a title fight poised to make history in ONE Championship’s strawweight division. Joshua "The Passion" Pacio, a three-time champion and one of the division’s most feared athletes, will defend his belt against Keito "Pocket Monk" Yamakita. The latter, undefeated since joining the promotion in 2023, poses a major tactical threat with his grappling expertise and 6 career submission wins.
This bout shapes up as a clash of styles: on one side, Pacio, a KO master with 19 wins by KO/TKO or submission, and on the other, Yamakita, a takedown and finish specialist. With an impressive 79% finish rate in his career, Pacio will need to stay sharp against his opponent’s grappling attempts. Yamakita, for his part, has submitted 4 of his last 6 opponents, proving his deadly effectiveness on the ground.
A High-Stakes Tactical Battle
Pacio’s resume speaks for itself: 15 wins in 20 ONE Championship fights, a record that makes him one of the promotion’s most dominant champions. Facing him, Yamakita—despite being slightly taller (1.73 m vs. Pacio’s 1.68 m)—will need to prove he can hold his own against the champion in clinch and ground exchanges. Their height difference could play a key role, especially if the fight turns into a close-quarters battle.
This fight isn’t just about style—it’s also about mindset. Pacio, used to the spotlight, will have to handle the pressure of a title defense on home soil, while Yamakita, fighting under the Japanese flag, will enjoy the support of a partisan crowd. A win for the "Pocket Monk" could shake up the strawweight hierarchy and give ONE Championship a new star.
Between Pacio’s overwhelming experience and Yamakita’s tactical boldness, this title fight is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable of the year. MMA fans can expect an intense showdown where every detail will matter. Who will emerge victorious from this title clash? The answer comes on November 18 in Tokyo.