Mansur Malachiev (14-1) will rematch ONE strawweight champion Joshua Pacio (23-5) on July 10 at The Inner Circle 21. Their first meeting in 2023 ended in a unanimous decision victory for Pacio, which remains the only loss on Malachiev's professional record.
Mansur Malachiev and ONE strawweight champion Joshua Pacio are set to run it back, with a rematch officially booked for July 10 at The Inner Circle 21.
The two men previously met in 2023, with Pacio earning a unanimous decision victory in that outing. For Malachiev, that result stands as the only blemish on his professional record, giving him significant motivation heading into the return bout. He carries a 14-1 mark into the contest.
Pacio, the reigning ONE strawweight champion, brings a record of 23-5 into the rematch. Having already solved the Malachiev puzzle once, the Filipino standout will look to prove that first victory was no fluke and retain his title in the process.
Why it matters
- Malachiev's sole professional loss came directly at Pacio's hands, framing this as a personal redemption fight as much as a title challenge.
- A victory for Malachiev would hand him the ONE strawweight championship and avenge the only defeat of his career.
- Pacio has navigated a long and decorated tenure at the top of the division, and a second win over Malachiev would further cement his standing as one of the premier strawweights in the world.
- The stylistic familiarity between the two fighters adds an extra layer of intrigue, as both camps will have had years to study and adjust from their first encounter.
