Joshua Pacio may still be nursing an ACL injury as he awaits medical clearance to compete, but that hasn’t stopped him from boarding a plane to Bangkok, Thailand to attend a ONE Championship event this weekend.
The reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion will be in Danny Kingad’s corner as the latter runs it back with Adriano Moraes in a flyweight rematch at ONE 169 this Saturday, November 9.
Both Filipino superstars have a long-standing friendship and have been training partners for years, and Pacio is committed to giving Kingad the best support possible at Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
“I’m here because of Danny. He’s my buddy. He needs the best for this fight. That’s why I’m here, along with our team, to support him,” Pacio told Tiebreaker Times.
It’s understandable why Pacio feels so strongly, as this matchup is crucial for “The King.”
Kingad and Moraes first squared off for the divisional crown in November 2017. In that bout, the Brazilian effortlessly overwhelmed the then-surging Filipino prospect on the ground to set up the finish with a rear-naked choke in the opening round.
Seven years later, the two will go head-to-head once more, with a potential shot at the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title at stake.
They enter this second date as top-rated contenders in their weight class, with Moraes ranked No. 1 and Kingad at No. 3.
Pacio acknowledges the high stakes, noting that this is a must-win situation for Kingad in his quest to move closer to 26 pounds of gold.
“It’s been said for a long time that Danny is champion material, and he also dreams of becoming a champion. To make that dream a reality, he needs to win this,” Pacio said.
(C) Lions Nation MMA
“The Passion” could have stayed home to focus on physical therapy, but his bond with his Lions Nation MMA comrade runs deep.
Before they became stablemates, Pacio and Kingad initially crossed paths as opponents in a local grappling competition held in La Union in 2012.
Back then, they barely knew each other, but Pacio remembers the wake-up call he received when Kingad nearly submitted him with a tight triangle choke.
With a little trick up his sleeve, Pacio managed to escape the hold and cruise to a decision victory.
“At that time, he was still new. He knew very little about grappling. But that’s when I realized how physically gifted he was as an athlete. I only did one thing in that match to escape, but I won’t say what it was,” Pacio shared in jest.
“But even then, I knew Danny had talent.”
Neither could have anticipated that they’d soon train side-by-side under the same roof.
In fact, they even made their ONE debuts on the same card in April 2016, each delivering triumphant performances.
Since then, Pacio went on to be the most accomplished strawweight mixed martial artist in the promotion’s history.
On the other hand, Kingad has been a perennial presence in his bracket. Yet, despite his eight-year tenure under the organization’s banner, a signature win seems elusive.
Now, Pacio is pinning his hopes on Kingad to claim the biggest victory of his career, one that will cement his place among the flyweight MMA elite.
“Undeniably, Moraes is one of the best flyweights, not only in ONE but in the world. If Danny wins against Moraes, it will be a huge milestone for his career. He will be remembered for that,” the 28-year-old Baguio City native mentioned.
Pacio reflected on how Kingad has been by his side during his defining moments, and there’s no chance he’ll miss seeing his teammate finally have his.
“In the highs and lows of my career, especially in the best moments, Danny has always been there. As a teammate, friend, and brother, I also want my teammates to achieve what I’ve achieved,” he stated.
“That’s why I’ll give all my support to ensure that Danny gets the win in this fight.”
