Ang ONE Strawweight World Champion na si Joshua "The Passion" Pacio ay mananatili lamang sa harap ng kanyang tv kapag nagbalik ang Brazilian na si Alex "Little Rock" Silva ngayong Biyernes, Disyembre 7.

Si Silva ay nakatakdang makaharap ang Japanese veteran na si Yosuke Saruta sa ONE: DESTINY OF CHAMPIONS na gaganapin sa Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sa kanyang huling laban, ay napasakamay ng Japanese na si Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito ang kanyang ONE Strawweight World Title sa isang split decision sa isang rematch sa ONE: GRIT AND GLORY noong Mayo.

Habang pinaplano ni Silva ang pagkakaroon muli ng world title ay papanoorin lamang siya sa malayo ni Pacio at babantayan ang bawat galaw nito mula sa kanyang bahay sa Baguio City, Philippines.

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"Alex Silva is a former ONE World Champion and a third-degree jiu-jitsu black belt. I have nothing but high regard and respect for Silva," sabi ni Pacio, na nagtanggal kay Naito ng gold-plated strap sa ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES noong Setyembre.

Isang malaking panalo kay Silva ay ang pagtalo niyo noong Disyembre 2017 kay Naito para sa strawweight crown sa ONE: WARRIORS OF THE WORLD.

Nakikita ni Pacio si Silva bilang isang panganib sa kahit sino sa strawweight division lalo’t mas gumaling ito sa ground.

"His first bout with Naito stood out. He improved his striking, and the way he outlanded Naito that night got him the belt. However, Naito was ahead in terms of conditioning in the rematch," pahayag niya.

"We may very well get to face each other. There is a rivalry between Team Lakay and Evolve MMA nowadays. This matchup is not far from happening,” paliwanag ni Pacio.

Maliban kay Silva, tinitingnan din niya ang iba pang atleta sa strawweight division na maaari niyang makaharap tulad nina Naito at Hayato Suzuki.

"Yoshitaka Naito, Hayato Suzuki and Alex Silva are the top contenders and the biggest names in my division. They're all grapplers, but a match will always start standing up," sabi niya.

"I have to work on my wrestling defense, make my striking sharper, and not give them a chance to look for a submission.”

Sa kabila ng pagkakaroon ng mahabang listahan ay nakikita ni Pacio na si Silva ang nangingibabaw sa kanilang lahat dahil sa malaking progreso niya sa mixed martial arts.

"Suzuki is explosive. Naito, on the other hand, is durable and battle-tested. Silva, meanwhile, is the most well-rounded among the three athletes. His growth as a martial artist is very evident. That’s why I want to test my skills against him,” banggit niya.

Magaganap ang pagdepensa ni Pacio sa kanyang ONE Strawweight World Championship sa susunod na taon pero ngayon pa lang ay may naiisip na siyang gustong makalaban.

"I am looking forward to facing Alex Silva in the near future,” he declared. “I want him to win against Yosuke Saruta.”