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Tom Taylor

Joshua Pacio is no longer part of Team Lakay.
The former ONE Championship strawweight MMA king confirmed his departure from the Baguio City, Philippines-based gym in a Facebook post on Monday, following in the footsteps of his stablemates Eduard Folayang and Kevin Belingon, who revealed their decisions to take their training elsewhere last week.
“I’d like to start this off by giving thanks to the people that helped mould me through my formative years, namely the members of Team Lakay led by our dear coach Mark Sangiao,” the 27-year-old wrote, insinuating an amicable split with the team and its head coach.
“I wouldn’t be a world champion in ONE Championship without the guidance of Coach Mark Sangiao.”



What's up, guys! 🤙🏻 A pleasant day to all! It has been a long time since I had the chance to interact with most of...
Posted by Joshua Pacio on Sunday, 12 March 2023


Like Folayang and Belingon, Pacio (20-4) cited a desire to learn and evolve as the main reason for his departure from Team Lakay, which has served as his training home for the whole of his illustrious MMA career.
“There is a saying that champions never rest on their laurels and must continue sharpening their skills,” he wrote.
“In my quest to better myself and reclaim the belt that was once mine, I have decided that moving out of the fabled stable that gave Filipino fight fans much to cheer for inside the Circle is the path that I have to take.
“I believe that stepping out of my comfort zone is the way to level up my overall skills in the world of combat sports.”
ONE: Folayang, Belingon leave Team Lakay in end of an era
Pacio, who began his career as a flyweight, first challenged for ONE strawweight gold in Yangon, Myanmar in October 2016, when he took on Japan’s Yoshitaka Naito. He lost that fight by submission, but then defeated Naito by decision in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2018 to claim the title on his second try.
He surrendered the title in his first defence, losing a split decision to Japan’s Yosuke Saruta in Jakarta.
He then reclaimed the title with a stunning head-kick knockout of Saruta, this time on home soil in Manila, Philippines, and went on to defend the belt three times, submitting Rene Catalan, defeating Alex Silva by decision, and finally knocking out Saruta again.

He lost the title last December when he suffered a competitive decision defeat to surging American star Jarred Brooks in Manila.
He does not currently have a fight booked, but was offered a shot at redemption by Brooks himself soon after their fight.
It is not clear where he intends to train going forward.
Team Lakay is far and away the most successful MMA gym in the Philippines, producing multiple ONE title-holders, including Folayang and Belingon, who reigned over the lightweight and bantamweight divisions respectively.
The recent exodus of fighters from the gym represents the end of an era for both the team and ONE.


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ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Joshua Pacio confirms Team Lakay exit, sets sights on ‘reclaiming the title’

Joshua Pacio with the ONE strawweight MMA belt. Photos: ONE Championship. 

Joshua Pacio knocks out Yosuke Saruta with a knee.

ONE Championship: Eduard Folayang and Kevin Belingon leave Team Lakay in end of an era

Eduard Folayang (second left) and Kevin Belingon (second right) are leaving Team Lakay. Photos: ONE Championship

Eduard Folayang throws a kick at John Wayne Parr during their Muay Thai bout at ONE X in Singapore.

Eduard Folayang celebrates a victory. 

Bibiano Fernando (right) and Kevin Belingon enjoyed a storied rivalry over the One Championship bantamweight title.

ONE Championship Fight Night 8 gets multiple new matchups including return of Alex Silva, debut of Tammi Musumeci

Anatoly Malykhin (left) is set to face Arjan Bhullar in the ONE Fight Night 8 main event. Photos: ONE Championship. 

Rodtang Jitmuangnon walks to the Circle before a unanimous decision victory over Joseph Lasiri at ONE on Prime Video 4 in November. 

Former ONE strawweight MMA champion Alex Silva prepares for a fight. 

ONE Championship: Aung La N Sang wants Reinier de Ridder trilogy, would use ‘similar game plan’ as Anatoly Malykhin

Aung La N Sang speaks with Reinier De Ridder after their ONE on TNT 4 main event. Photo: ONE Championship

Anatoly Malykhin punches Reinier de Ridder at ONE on Prime Video 5 in Manila.

China’s Fan Rong prepares to fight Yuri Simoes in a middleweight MMA clash, which he won by unanimous decision.

Reinier de Ridder takes down Aung La N Sang at ONE on TNT 4. 

ONE Championship has shaken up the submission grappling industry – but women’s title should be next

Danielle Kelly prepares for a submission grappling match with Ayaka Miura. Photos: ONE Championship. 

Mikey Musumeci celebrates after winning the ONE flyweight submission grappling title with a decision defeat of Cleber Sousa.

Chatri Sityodtong places the lightweight submission grappling title on Kade Ruotolo’s shoulder.

Danielle Kelly (top) attacks Mei Yamaguchi’s arm in a submission grappling match at ONE X on March 26 in Singapore.

ONE Championship: Itsuki Hirata backs Alyse Anderson to submit Stamp Fairtex at US debut

Itsuki Hirata’s arm is raised in victory after a unanimous decision against Alyse Anderson.

Alyse Anderson celebrates a first-round submission win over Asha Roka.

Thailand’s Stamp Fairtex throws a kick at Jihin Radzuan at ONE on Prime Video 2 in Singapore.

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts

Pacio was one of the Filipino MMA gym’s most accomplished fighters, but will train elsewhere going forward
Former ONE strawweight MMA champ follows Eduard Folayang and Kevin Belingon, who announced departures last week


Former ONE Championship strawweight MMA king Joshua Pacio is leaving long-time training home in Baguio City, in hopes of reclaiming title.
