MMA: Joshua Pacio inspired by Demetrious Johnson's perfect exit | ABS-CBN
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MMA: Joshua Pacio inspired by Demetrious Johnson's perfect exit
ABS-CBN News
Published Sep 23, 2024 04:23 PM PHT
Filipino MMA fighter Joshua Pacio. Handout/ONE Championship
Filipino MMA fighter Joshua Pacio. Handout/ONE ChampionshipMANILA -- ONE strawweight MMA world champion Joshua "The Passion" Pacio has always wanted to test his skills against the great Demetrious Johnson, but that is no longer possible after the "Mighty Mouse" announced his retirement.
MANILA -- ONE strawweight MMA world champion Joshua "The Passion" Pacio has always wanted to test his skills against the great Demetrious Johnson, but that is no longer possible after the "Mighty Mouse" announced his retirement.
Johnson called it a career after 17 years in the world of mixed martial arts, having dominated both in the UFC and at ONE Championship. He formally bid goodbye to the sport at ONE 168: Denver earlier this month.
Johnson called it a career after 17 years in the world of mixed martial arts, having dominated both in the UFC and at ONE Championship. He formally bid goodbye to the sport at ONE 168: Denver earlier this month.
What Pacio hopes to achieve now is to one day leave the sport much like Johnson did -- healthy, and on top of his game.
What Pacio hopes to achieve now is to one day leave the sport much like Johnson did -- healthy, and on top of his game.
"That's the dream -- to finish on top," said the Filipino MMA star. "It's a goal I share. I aspire to end my career on a high note as well."
"That's the dream -- to finish on top," said the Filipino MMA star. "It's a goal I share. I aspire to end my career on a high note as well."
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Johnson had wrapped up his career as a champion after winning the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title against Adriano Moraes in August 2022.
Johnson had wrapped up his career as a champion after winning the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title against Adriano Moraes in August 2022.
"It's unfortunate that I didn't get to fight him. I always knew I would eventually move up to flyweight, and DJ was on my wish list. Now that he's retired, I missed that chance, but I'm completely okay with it," said Pacio.
"It's unfortunate that I didn't get to fight him. I always knew I would eventually move up to flyweight, and DJ was on my wish list. Now that he's retired, I missed that chance, but I'm completely okay with it," said Pacio.
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for DJ," added the Filipino, who believes that the American legend is the ultimate standard for MMA fighters -- both inside the ring and out of it.
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for DJ," added the Filipino, who believes that the American legend is the ultimate standard for MMA fighters -- both inside the ring and out of it.
"He's one of the fighters I've always looked up to, alongside Anderson Silva, who is my ultimate MMA idol," said Pacio. "DJ truly stands out as one of the best and has set a high standard for every athlete in the sport."
"He's one of the fighters I've always looked up to, alongside Anderson Silva, who is my ultimate MMA idol," said Pacio. "DJ truly stands out as one of the best and has set a high standard for every athlete in the sport."
Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson announces his retirement at ONE 168: Denver at the Ball Arena in Colorado, September 6, 2024. Handout/ONE ChampionshipDespite missing the chance to clash with the best, Pacio is nonetheless honored to have shared time in the same organization as Johnson. "Mighty Mouse" joined ONE Championship in October 2018, having been "traded" for then-welterweight champion Ben Askren.
Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson announces his retirement at ONE 168: Denver at the Ball Arena in Colorado, September 6, 2024. Handout/ONE ChampionshipDespite missing the chance to clash with the best, Pacio is nonetheless honored to have shared time in the same organization as Johnson. "Mighty Mouse" joined ONE Championship in October 2018, having been "traded" for then-welterweight champion Ben Askren.He was pushed by some of ONE's younger flyweights in Tatsumitsu Wada and Danny "The King" Kingad, but Johnson powered through to claim the ONE Flyweight MMA World Grand Prix – his first silverware in ONE.
He was pushed by some of ONE's younger flyweights in Tatsumitsu Wada and Danny "The King" Kingad, but Johnson powered through to claim the ONE Flyweight MMA World Grand Prix – his first silverware in ONE.
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His drive for gold, however, hit a setback as he absorbed the first KO loss of his career when he got finished by erstwhile flyweight king Moraes to send him back to the drawing board.
His drive for gold, however, hit a setback as he absorbed the first KO loss of his career when he got finished by erstwhile flyweight king Moraes to send him back to the drawing board.
But he gained his revenge against Moraes to claim the championship and went on to retain it in their trilogy bout last May 2023, in what turned out to be the last fight for the 38-year-old Johnson.
But he gained his revenge against Moraes to claim the championship and went on to retain it in their trilogy bout last May 2023, in what turned out to be the last fight for the 38-year-old Johnson.
"It's impressive that he came over to ONE Championship," Pacio said. "Even though he didn't win the World Title on his first attempt, he used that challenge to come back and become a champion here. You could say he's achieved it all."
"It's impressive that he came over to ONE Championship," Pacio said. "Even though he didn't win the World Title on his first attempt, he used that challenge to come back and become a champion here. You could say he's achieved it all."
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