ONE Championship (ONE), the world’s largest martial arts organization, today announced two more World Title bouts for ONE 173, which emanates live from the state-of-the-art Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, November 16.
ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu of Japan will make his first World Title defense against reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio of the Philippines.
In addition, new ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga of the Philippines will put her gold on the line against #2-ranked contender Ayaka “Zombie” Miura of Japan.
Tickets for ONE 173 are on sale now to the general public exclusively through ePlus.
Yuya Wakamatsu, ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion, said: “I’m excited to fight in Japan again. Joshua Pacio is a tough, well-rounded champion, but I believe I can win if I stay focused. I’ve fought my whole life for this belt, and I won’t let it go easily. I’ll give it everything and prove I’m a true champion. I’ll get the win in front of the Japanese fans. Thank you for your support!”
Joshua Pacio, ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion, said: “Moving up in weight is definitely a huge step for me, but more than anything, I see it as a great opportunity. At this point in my career, I have nothing to lose. I only have a chance to grow and test myself. I thank God, and I’m truly grateful to Chatri and ONE Championship for trusting me with this challenge, and I’m excited to embrace it fully.”
Denice Zamboanga, ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion, said: “Thank you to ONE Championship for this opportunity. I believe God’s timing is always perfect, and I’m honored to defend this belt against Ayaka Miura in Japan. She’s one of the strongest grapplers in the atomweight division, and I’ve watched how relentless she is with her ground game. There’s still a long road ahead in my preparation, but I’m committed to putting in the work and showing up stronger than ever. I’ll bring this title to Japan — and bring it back home to the Philippines with pride. All glory to God.”
Ayaka Miura, #2-ranked women’s atomweight contender, said: “I’m honored to get a World Title shot in Japan, where I was born and raised. Huge thanks to Chatri for the surprise opportunity. I have unfinished business in the strawweight division, so I’ll prove the strength of Japanese fighters by winning this atomweight belt at home. To all the fans who’ve supported me – thank you. I’ll seize this chance and bring the belt back with a smile. Please support me at ONE 173 on November 16.”
Wakamatsu claimed the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship when he knocked out Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes – the most decorated flyweight mixed martial artist in ONE history – in their highly anticipated rematch at ONE 172 in Japan this past March.
Now, seven months after achieving his lifelong dream, “Little Piranha” will defend his coveted gold on home soil against Pacio, a seven-time ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion.
After being sidelined for several months with an ACL injury, the Filipino made a glorious return to action when he defeated the strawweight division’s interim titleholder, Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks, in their trilogy at ONE 171 in Qatar last February to unify the belts.
Pacio will now have a chance to become a rare two-division MMA World Champion at ONE 173.
Meanwhile, Zamboanga beat Ukrainian contender Alyona Rassohyna at ONE Fight Night 27 this past January to capture the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title. She was promoted to undisputed champion when the division’s then-reigning queen, Stamp Fairtex, relinquished the crown in May.
On November 16, the Filipina will head into enemy territory to make her first official World Title defense against Miura.
The surging Japanese judoka, who has never lost a bout in the atomweight division, finds herself on a five-bout winning streak. That was capped by a dominant first-round submission victory over Juliana “La Patrona” Otalora at ONE Friday Fights 116 on July 18, which earned Miura the championship opportunity.
ONE 173 will be headlined by a ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title unification match between reigning king Superbon and interim titleholder Masaaki Noiri. The card also features a ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title rematch between defending champ “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane and two-division king Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin, as well as a middleweight submission grappling showdown between two-time ADCC World Champion Giancarlo Bodoni and two-time IBJJF World Champion Rafael Lovato Jr.
Additional bouts for ONE 173 will be announced in the near future.
