KEY POINTS

  • Joshua Pacio made his pick for the hybrid fight between Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Demetrious Johnson
  • The hybrid fight was announced in late September as a response to all the crossover events happening
  • Pacio also said he would consider doing a crossover fight if given the opportunity

Team Lakay's Joshua Pacio revealed his pick for ONE X’s unique MMA-Muay Thai fight between Demetrious Johnson and Rodtang Jitmuangnon.

In an exclusive conversation with the International Business Times, Pacio made his prediction.

“I think it’s a very unique competition, everyone would like to see this fight, [this] battle between G.O.A.T.s of [two] different sports. If DJ (Demetrious Johnson) survives round one, he will definitely win this fight,” Pacio explained.

ONE Championship is looking to break new ground in the combat sports scene after the promotion announced the very first bout of its kind.

Chatri Sityodtong, the company chairman and CEO, first broke the news to renowned mixed martial arts personality Ariel Helwani on an episode of the MMA Hour in September.

The rules for the Rodtang-Johnson fight are as follows:

  1. The fight is scheduled for four rounds, with three minutes each.
  2. A Muay Thai and MMA bout are both scheduled to happen within those four rounds.
  3. Muay Thai rules will be enforced for the first and third rounds, while an MMA bout is set to happen during the second and fourth rounds.

Crossover fights have been generating buzz around combat sports circles, especially after former UFC welterweight titleholder Tyron Woodley fought Jake Paul.

Pacio was also asked whether he would consider doing a fight similar to this setup in the future, and the Team Lakay member said he might do it.

“If given an opportunity, why not? I would like to challenge myself against the very best. But for now, I am more focused on developing and leveling up as a mixed martial artist,” the Filipino stated.

The reigning strawweight king is coming off a superb knockout victory over bitter rival Yosuke Saruta at ONE: Revolution last September 24, ending an explosive trilogy where both fighters had one win apiece prior to the event.

As for Rodtang and Johnson, their hybrid fight is still set for December 5 despite the Thai icon contracting COVID-19.

Rodtang was supposed to fight in the co-main event of ONE: First Strike against Spanish kickboxer Daniel Puertas, while Johnson is coming off his very first knockout loss to flyweight champion Adriano Moraes at ONE on TNT this past April.

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