Wakamatsu captured the flyweight championship with a first-round technical knockout of Adriano Moraes at ONE 172 in March. That performance showcased the explosive finishing ability that has defined his career, validating years of development following early losses to Demetrious Johnson and Moraes himself.
The 30-year-old has already defeated quality Filipino competition, including former flyweight champion Geje Eustaquio and Pacio’s current Lions Nation MMA teammate Danny Kingad. His knockout power has consistently provided the equalizer against elite-level opposition.
His tactical approach relies on counter-striking and pressure management. Wakamatsu believes Pacio’s aggressive forward movement when opponents don’t engage creates opportunities for the type of counter-punching that produces his highlight-reel finishes.
“I’d say my style is more like out-boxing, but at the core, I’m basically a counter-fighter,” said Wakamatsu.
“As for Pacio, if his opponent doesn’t engage, he’ll press forward aggressively. And if you rush in carelessly, he’ll catch you with a heavy counter. My own style is to apply pressure, stepping in and then stepping back out.”
Pacio brings significant challenges beyond his striking. The Filipino has evolved from a wushu specialist into a complete mixed martial artist with world-class grappling skills. His recent second-round technical knockout of Jarred Brooks at ONE 171 in February demonstrated his finishing ability across all areas.
The shared history between these fighters adds context to their championship meeting. Wakamatsu made his ONE Championship debut in September 2018, the same event where Pacio captured his first World Title by defeating Yoshitaka Naito. Both have since established themselves as divisional champions through different paths.
Wakamatsu acknowledges the difficulty of his first title defense. Pacio’s move to flyweight creates additional motivation beyond typical challenges, as the Filipino seeks to become his country’s first two-division ONE MMA world champion.
“He’s a dangerous striker and a true all-rounder. He controls the fight really well,” said Wakamatsu.
“And he has knockout power in every strike. Knees, punches, and kicks are all dangerous. He can finish with one shot. On top of that, he manages the flow of the fight extremely well. And not only that—his ground game is also very strong. Overall, he’s a very dangerous opponent.”
