Joshua Pacio Turns the Tables: New Opponent on Deck for ONE: GLOBAL SUPERHEROES
Strawweight sensation Joshua “The Passion” Pacio had been hyped to clobber the undefeated Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit, but the Thai star pulled out a week before the fight. Now Pacio’s got a fresh face to tackle – China’s Lan Ming Qiang, making his ONE Championship debut on Friday, 26 January at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Why It Matters
- Pacficable – Pacio’s never shown drama when circumstances change. He says, “I’m not disappointed; safety first.”
- Lan’s Sprint – The Chinese champ boasts a 16‑2 sanda record and has been sharpening his cage skills.
- Quick‑Change‑Gear – Pacio states he’ll adapt fast while keeping his game plan intact.
Pacio’s Take on the Switch
“I was excited about my bout with Pongsiri, because it would have been a clash of the young guns,” he shares. “If I was the one sick or injured, I’d not compete either, so I hope he recovers fast and gets back on track.” He adds, “Lan Ming Qiang is my new opponent now, and I need to adopt quickly to his style. But our game plan is still the same, and I will execute that on 26 January.”
Lan Ming Qiang’s Profile Snapshot
- National sanda champion trained alongside flyweight world title contender “The Southern Eagle” Ma Hao Bin.
- Debut entrant into ONE: 16 wins, 2 losses in sanda, with a bag of titles.
- Recent focus shift: Moving from the ring to the cage.
Lan’s Game Plan
He’s ready to seize the unexpected opportunity, “with both hands,” and wants to make a splash on his short‑notice debut. “For this bout, my strategy is to win it on my feet through striking,” Lan says.
Will this be an epic matchup?
With Pacio’s fierce determination and Lan’s striking prowess, fans can’t help but crack up at the anticipation – and maybe, just maybe, anticipate a legendary bout that redefines the strawweight scene.
Pacio Gets Pumped for the Big Showdown
Pre‑Fight Grind
Coach Mark Sangiao, the Team Lakay crew, and Pacio have been tightening up. Even though the originally‑planned “big‑name” opponent disappeared from the bracket, he sees the next match as a chance to blow the lid off the venue with a bang.
Flashback to the Last Big Win
When Pacio faced Roy Doliguez last November, he delivered a spinning back‑fist KO that Left the crowd roaring and earned him a spot among ONE’s Best Knockouts of 2017—ranking #5 that year.
Now It’s “The Passion” Again
- The Filipino fighter’s motto: “Show ‘em what you’ve got!”
- He knows the new opponent has a sharp striking game, but Pacio has faced some of the finest strikers in his division.
- He’s ready for a battle of wills on the 26th, expecting his rival to be “explosive and hungry.”
- His plan: stick to the game strategy, stay on guard, and secure the victory.
Final Thoughts
Pacio says he’s excited for this duel because both fighters are “true warriors,” ready to throw everything at the bell. If you’re watching, expect fireworks, earnest heartbeats, and one heck of a show.
