The crowd inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena was down after seeing Eric Kelly fall. But Joshua Pacio made sure to electrify the crowd, looking dominant all throughout against Lan Ming Qiang, Friday evening during ONE Championship: Global Superheroes.
“First of all, thank you to all the Filipino fans. Kung wala kayo, wala kaming lakas na makapag-compete sa ganitong stage,” said the 22-year-old fighter out of Team Lakay.
With the win, Pacio picked up his second straight win to lift his record to 11-2.
Pacio was aggressive all throughout the bout, spending the majority of the first round on top. After throwing short strikes to the head and body of the 24-year-old Chinese fighter to loosen him up, Pacio quickly got his opponent’s back. Pacio quickly sunk a tight rear naked choke for the tap out.
“The two losses I had, I was caught by a rear naked choke. I enhanced my ground skills because of that,” reflected the Baguio-native.
Asked what he wants next, Pacio did not call for a title shot, instead vowing to improve on his craft fight by fight.
“Just what I’ve said, I signed to fight in the best promotion of the world. The goal is to keep winning and keep on improving,” he said.
Lam took the fight under short notice as Pacio’s original opponent Pongsiri Mitsatit had to bow out due to injury.
ONE Championship: Global Superheroes
January 26, 2018 – SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City
- Strawweight Bout: Joshua Pacio def. Lam Ming Qiang via submission (rear naked choke) at Round 1, 4:01
