ONE strawweight MMA world title challenger Mansur Malachiev of Russia is gearing up for his shot at 26 pounds of gold.
In the main event of The Inner Circle 21 on Friday, Malachiev seeks to avenge a previous defeat and unseat reigning ONE strawweight MMA world champion Joshua Pacio.
Malachiev dropped a unanimous decision to Pacio at ONE Fight Night 15 in 2023, the only loss of his professional career.
What the result did not reflect was the physical state he arrived in. A leg injury compromised his preparation. Despite the handicap, he pushed Pacio for three rounds but ultimately fell short on the scorecards.
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He bounced back with three consecutive wins, including a second-round submission of Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks, to earn his shot.
This time, nothing has been left to chance. The Dagestani grappling specialist arrived at camp healthy, prepared, and focused.
He told ONE Championship in his pre-event interview:
“Last time, I went into the fight with a leg injury, and I had little time to prepare. This time, I was able to complete a full training camp. Now, I am in full fighting condition.”
Fans can be part of the action live by purchasing The Inner Circle at live.onefc.com.
Joshua Pacio explains his edge over Mansur Malachiev
Aside from already owning a previous victory over Mansur Malachiev, Joshua Pacio believes he has one clear advantage entering the rematch.
“The Passion” prides himself on his ability to adapt, evidenced by his three separate title reigns in the division.
The undisputed ONE strawweight MMA king told ONE in his own interview:
“I think one of my biggest advantages is my experience at this level and my ability to adapt. I’ve been in many tough fights and different situations, and I’ve learned how to stay calm and make the right adjustments. I also believe in my striking and my ability to control the pace of the fight.”
Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein