BEYOND THE CAGE: JOSHUA “THE PASSION” PACIO’S FIGHT FOR PURPOSE

February 13, 2025 Sports

Image source: ONE Championship. (2022, December 2). Joshua Pacio, Jarred Brooks Get Physical, Trade Insults [Photograph] South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial- arts/article/3201902/one-championship-joshua-pacio- jarred-brooks-get-physical-trade-insults-face-offs-manila

As the crowd roars in anticipation, a lone figure stands at the center of the cage, eyes focused, fists clenched, and heart pounding. For Joshua Felix Pacio, a 29- year-old Igorot fighter from Beckel, La Trinidad, Benguet, this is more than just a fight. It’s a culmination of years of hard work, unwavering faith, and a journey that began long before he ever stepped into the ring. Joshua’s path to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) was anything but conventional. At 11 years old, he was not an aspiring fighter—he was an obese child simply looking for a way to get fit. Martial arts seemed like the right choice, so he started training in Muay Thai, later shifting to Wushu. By 16, he had discovered his true passion—MMA.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect to become a fighter,” Joshua admits. “At first, I just wanted to lose weight. But when I started competing, I lost again and again… yet I loved it anyway.” What began as a fitness journey soon transformed into an obsession? He wasn’t just training to shed pounds anymore—he was training to win. For Joshua, the road to becoming a fighter wasn’t easy, especially when it came to his parents’ reactions. His father, Nimrod Pacio, was more supportive from the start but could never attend his live fights due to work abroad. It wasn’t until Joshua’s rise to the international stage that his father had the chance to watch him compete live. His mother, on the other hand, struggled with the idea of her son stepping into the cage.

“She couldn’t bear to watch me get hurt,” Joshua recalls. “She never watched my fights live, but she supported me in her own way. Over time, she saw how I improved, and eventually, she accepted it.” Though physically apart at times, his family’s quiet encouragement became one of his greatest strengths. For Joshua, martial art is more than just a
sport—it is a discipline that has shaped his character. “The first thing martial arts teaches you is discipline,” he says. “It has changed my life—my attitude, my mindset, everything.” But above all, faith remains his foundation. “I don’t pray to win; I pray for God’s protection and guidance,” he explains. “Victory is a result of hard work and God’s favor, but defeat is part of the journey. If you lose, you reflect, improve, and move forward.”

His strongest opponents are not just the fighters he faces inside the cage but also the mental battles that come with setbacks. Through it all, he remains steadfast in his belief that every challenge has a purpose. Moreover, balancing academics with training was one of Joshua’s biggest early challenges. As a varsity athlete at the University of the Cordilleras, he juggled daily training sessions with schoolwork. “It was tough—training twice a day while studying. But my heart was in martial arts so I just enjoy it,’’ he shares. Another most significant challenge Joshua faced early on was dealing with bashers. As his fame grew, so did the criticisms.

For many athletes, negative comments can be discouraging, but Joshua saw it as a sign of progress. Instead of letting
criticism affect him, he used it as motivation to work even harder. “If you have bashers, it means you’re growing and becoming successful,” he said. As he prepares for his upcoming fight with Jarred Brooks, a formidable opponent from the United States, Joshua remains focused. His mindset going into every fight is —trust in God and execute the
game plan. “When I enter the cage, it’s just me, my opponent, and the referee. Focus is everything. I trust in God, and I focus on the game plan. No distractions.” “The Passion” follows no superstitions, relying instead on preparation, discipline, and the support of those closest to him. His inner circle—friends, teammates, and coaches are what keeping him grounded.

As he looks to the future, Joshua envisions himself continuing in the sport for a few more years before transitioning to new pursuits. “Maybe I’ll retire by 35 or 36,” he shares. “But after that, I still want to serve God and I want to build my own gym someday.” But for now, his focus remains on the present—on training, fighting, and trusting in the path ahead. For young Igorot fighters aspiring to follow in his footsteps, Joshua offers his advice: “You will be a champion if you trust God’s plan,” he advises. “Work hard, work smart, and always trust God. In a sport where strength, endurance, and determination are key, Joshua Pacio proves that success is not just about winning fights. It’s about faith, resilience, and the journey of self-discovery that shapes a true warrior.

By: Karen P. Longbabe