Joshua Pacio will face one of ONE Championship’s rocks in the strawweight division in his second title defense.
ONE announced on Thursday afternoon that the Team Lakay stalwart will face Alex Silva in the main event of ONE: Fire and Fury.
The card takes place on Friday, January 31, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The 23-year-old Pacio (18-3) — who hails from Baguio City — captured the strawweight belt with a unanimous decision victory over Japanese veteran Yoshitaka Naito in September of 2018. He then surrendered the title to another Japanese warrior in Shooto World Champion Yosuke Saruta in his first defense.
Months later, Pacio avenged that defeat by knocking out Saruta with a head kick to regain ONE Championship gold.
Last November, Pacio successfully defended his title against compatriot Rene Catalan, winning by second-round submission.
Now, Pacio looks to make the second defense of his title against the streaking Alex Silva.
Silva (9-4), a former ONE Strawweight World Champion, has been impressive as of late. He earned his way back to title contention behind two incredible submission victories over Stefer Rahardian and Peng Xue Wen.
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt is one of the most dangerous grapplers in the promotion. Eight out of nine of his victories have come by way of submission.
Silva will attempt to lift the belt from Pacio in a much-anticipated showdown at strawweight.
