"He'll catch you" - Yuya Wakamatsu admits he must be careful of Joshua Pacio's sneaky counters

Yuya Wakamatsu recognizes the danger his challenger brings, and he's preparing accordingly.The reigning ONE flyweight MMA world champion makes his first world title defense at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Sunday, Nov. 16.Looking to cut 'Little Piranha's' reign short as the flyweight king is none other than ONE strawweight MMA world champion Joshua Pacio, who attempts to gain two-sport world champion status in the Japanese capital city.In an exclusive interview with ONE Championship ahead of their all-champion showdown, the Tribe Tokyo MMA warrior broke down both his own fighting style and the threat Pacio poses with his counter-striking ability."I'd say my style is more like out-boxing, but at the core, I'm basically a counter-fighter," Yuya Wakamatsu said."As for Pacio, if his opponent doesn't engage, he'll press forward aggressively. And if you rush in carelessly, he'll catch you with a heavy counter."Making his first title defense on home soil certainly adds pressure to perform, but based on his first-round TKO of former kingpin Adriano Moraes at ONE 172 in Japan this past March, no obstacle seems too tough to climb for Wakamatsu. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostYuya Wakamatsu vs. Joshua Pacio promises a tactical battle between two dynamic strikersThe stylistic matchup between Wakamatsu and Pacio creates an intriguing dynamic heading into ONE 173 in Tokyo.Both fighters could produce a tactical chess match where patience and timing determine the outcome rather than volume and aggression.The 29-year-old Pacio, who seeks to become the first Filipino two-division MMA world champion in history, brings championship experience and the ability to adapt his approach based on what his opponent presents.For Yuya Wakamatsu, respecting Pacio's striking threat while implementing his own game plan represents the key to retaining his flyweight crown and establishing himself as his nation's top MMA fighter.The clash of styles, combined with the high stakes of championship gold and historical significance, sets the stage for one of the most technically fascinating battles on the entire ONE 173 card.Who emerges victorious when these two world-class athletes collide? Share your predictions below!Tickets for ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri can be secured here. Fans around the world can visit watch.onefc.com for how-to-watch details in their region.