- Strawweight MMA king Joshua Pacio moves up to challenge ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya Wakamatsu
- The high-stakes Wakamatsu vs Pacio fight will happen at ONE 173 in Tokyo on November 16, 2025
- The division has witnessed modern-day heroes bring pride and glory to their respective countries
The strawweight MMA division in ONE Championship stands as one of the most competitive and storied weight classes in the promotion’s rich history.
Several notable athletes have vied for the 125-pound crown over the years, producing legendary battles, stunning comebacks, and career-defining moments that have captivated fight fans worldwide.
The division has witnessed modern-day heroes bring pride and glory to their respective countries by capturing the coveted ONE Strawweight MMA World Title.
Among those is reigning king Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, who will pursue two-division supremacy by challenging ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu at ONE 173: Superbon vs Noiri at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on November 16.
But before the Filipino superstar embarks on his historic quest, let’s take a trip down memory lane and honor every fighter who has worn the strawweight MMA gold.
Thai Icon Dejdamrong Makes History As Inaugural World Champion
The story of the ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship began with a Muay Thai icon who broke barriers by capturing glory in mixed martial arts.
Decorated Muay Thai veteran Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke made history when he captured the inaugural ONE Strawweight MMA World Title with a hard-fought TKO victory over Roy Doliguez at ONE: Warrior’s Quest in May 2015.
The three-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion became Thailand’s first-ever MMA world champion at 36, achieving this remarkable feat just five fights into his transition from “the art of eight limbs.”
“Kru Rong” went on to defend his belt against Brazil’s Yago Bryan later that year.
However, his reign came to an end at ONE: Kingdom of Champions in May 2016, when he succumbed to Japanese grappling specialist Yoshitaka Naito’s superior wrestling and submission skills.
Despite losing his World Title, Dejdamrong’s pioneering reign proved that elite Muay Thai fighters could successfully transition to MMA’s highest level.
Japan’s Submission Hunter Naito Dominates Through Grappling Excellence
When Yoshitaka Naito dethroned Dejdamrong, he brought new elements to the strawweight MMA division, establishing himself as one of its most dangerous grapplers.
Naito’s championship victory was built on methodical excellence. He implemented his wrestling-focused style to perfection to negate the feared Muay Thai striker’s best weapons and submit him with a rear-naked choke.
“Nobita” continued his dominance by handing Pacio his first career loss at ONE: State of Warriors in October 2016, forcing the future titleholder to tap.
But the Japanese fighter’s dynasty was cut short when Brazilian star Alex “Little Rock” Silva outstruck him and stuffed his takedowns to claim the golden belt via unanimous decision at ONE: Warriors of the World in December 2017.
However, Naito’s story didn’t end there. He eventually reclaimed the World Title in his rematch with Silva at ONE: Grit & Glory in 2018 via unanimous decision.
Unfortunately for “Nobita,” he couldn’t hold onto the gold for long, and surrendered it to Pacio at ONE: Conquest of Heroes later that year via unanimous decision.
Through multiple World Title reigns and epic battles, Naito demonstrated that greatness isn’t measured in single moments, but in the relentless pursuit of excellence that drives legends to keep fighting.
Brazil’s Veteran Silva Claims Gold Through Experience And Craft
Alex Silva’s golden journey in ONE exemplified experience and adaptability at the highest level.
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion outgrappled the submission specialist Naito while showcasing underrated striking to conquer a second sport.
“Little Rock” defended his belt in an immediate rematch at ONE: Grit & Glory in 2018, but Naito’s wrestling-heavy approach and submission threats were on point as the Japanese star reclaimed his throne.
The rivals met once more in 2019, with Naito completing their trilogy with another victory.
Silva’s brief but memorable World Title reign perfectly captured the chess match between two elite grapplers, whose rivalry helped elevate the strawweight MMA division.
Japan’s Underdog Saruta Seizes His Moment In The Spotlight
When Yosuke “The Ninja” Saruta challenged the dynamic Pacio at ONE: Eternal Glory in January 2019, few expected the Japanese veteran to derail the young Filipino’s momentum. But Saruta’s veteran savvy and relentless pressure proved decisive in a closely contested battle.
The Tokyo native utilized effective wrestling and calculated striking to edge out a controversial split decision victory, proving that experience can overcome youth at the highest level.
However, “The Ninja” couldn’t keep the throne long. Just months later at ONE: Roots of Honor in Manila, “The Passion” uncorked a picture-perfect knee strike in the fourth round that ended the contest in spectacular fashion.
Pacio and Saruta met once more at ONE: Revolution in 2021, with “The Passion” again emerging victorious. “The Ninja’s” short reign cemented his legacy as a crafty veteran who seized his moment when opportunity knocked.
American Wrestling Machine Brooks Brings New Energy To The Division
The strawweight MMA division shifted dramatically when Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks brought his feisty swagger and world-class skills from the United States to the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Brooks ran roughshod over the competition, blitzed through the ranks and employed a take-no-prisoners approach, using elite wrestling to earn his World Title shot.
His breakthrough came at ONE 164 in December 2022, when he delivered a masterful performance against Pacio in Manila, silencing the Filipino crowd with impeccable takedowns and overwhelming combinations to cruise to a unanimous decision victory.
However, “The Monkey God’s” reign was marked by controversy. At ONE 166: Qatar in 2024, Brooks was disqualified for an illegal spike, resulting in the belt being awarded back to Pacio.
With the Filipino sidelined due to an injury that followed shortly after, Brooks reclaimed interim gold by submitting Gustavo Balart at ONE Fight Night 24 in August 2024, setting the stage for his trilogy and unification bout against Pacio.
Then at ONE 171: Qatar this past February, Brooks started hot with multiple submission attempts, but Pacio ultimately survived the onslaught.
In the second round, “The Passion” turned the tide with devastating ground-and-pound to unify the 125-pound belts.
Though the American’s reign ended in heartbreak, Brooks’ relentless spirit and championship heart proved that dreams can be achieved through unwavering determination.
Pacio’s Magical Journey To Strawweight MMA Supremacy
Joshua Pacio’s reign in ONE has been a wild roller coaster ride.
The Lions Nation MMA representative first captured the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title in September 2018 with his revenge win over Yoshitaka Naito, which marked the beginning of the most successful tenure in divisional history.
The Filipino’s rule was defined by remarkable resilience. He lost the belt to Yosuke Saruta via split decision in January 2019, only to reclaim it months later with a spectacular fourth-round knockout at ONE: Roots of Honor in Manila.
His second run included successful defenses against Rene Catalan and a trilogy victory over Saruta, establishing himself as the division’s most dominant force.
However, Pacio’s greatest test lay ahead.
His career’s defining chapter came through his intense rivalry with Jarred Brooks. After losing the strap via unanimous decision at ONE 164, Pacio faced his darkest moment. Their controversial rematch at ONE 166 ended with Brooks disqualified for an illegal slam, effectively returning the belt to Pacio in anticlimactic fashion.
The conclusion of their rivalry arrived at ONE 171: Qatar, when both men entered the Circle carrying gold — Pacio as lineal champion, Brooks as interim titleholder.
“The Monkey God” came out a man possessed and unleashed massive punishment, but Pacio’s fighting spirit kept him alive.
In round two, the 29-year-old Filipino completely turned the tide, pummeling an exhausted Brooks to complete a satisfying comeback TKO victory.
Now, Pacio’s seven World Title victories have established his legacy as the greatest ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion the promotion has ever seen.
With his dominance complete in the division, “The Passion” now sets his sights on two-division glory, as he challenges ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE 173.
