Eduard Folayang, The Inner Circle 21, Mansur Malachiev, ONE Championship, Shozo Isojima, Lumpinee Stadium, Philippine MMA, ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion

Joshua Pacio and Eduard Folayang are set to represent the Philippines at The Inner Circle 21 on Friday, July 10, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, as two of the country’s most accomplished mixed martial artists look to secure significant victories on the international stage. Pacio will defend his ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship against Russian contender Mansur Malachiev, while Folayang faces Japan’s Shozo Isojima in a lightweight clash.

The exclusive event begins at 7:30 p.m. Philippine time ahead of ONE Friday Fights 161. With a world title fight and the return of a former world champion on the card, the event is expected to draw considerable attention from MMA fans across Asia.

Pacio Chases Another Defense

Pacio enters the contest as the most decorated champion in the history of ONE Championship’s strawweight division. The Filipino star carries a 23-5 professional record and has collected 14 victories under the ONE banner throughout his accomplished career.

His latest championship triumph came at ONE 171 when he rallied to stop longtime rival Jarred Brooks in the second round to unify the division’s titles. The victory further cemented his legacy as one of the promotion’s most successful champions.

Following that performance, Pacio moved up in weight in pursuit of two-division glory and challenged former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE 173. Although he fell short in that bid, he now returns to the strawweight division eager to reaffirm his status as its undisputed king.

Standing opposite him is Malachiev, a dangerous Russian grappler who owns a 14-1 record. The challenger remains motivated by the lone defeat of his professional career, which came against Pacio at ONE Fight Night 15 in 2023.

Their first meeting showcased Malachiev’s relentless wrestling attack, but Pacio successfully neutralized many of those attempts and secured a unanimous decision victory. Since then, the Russian contender has put together three consecutive wins to earn another shot at championship gold.

Malachiev strengthened his case for a rematch by submitting Brooks at ONE Fight Night 36. Now carrying significant momentum into Bangkok, he will attempt to avenge the only loss on his record and capture the strawweight crown.

Folayang Seeks Strong Return

Before Pacio became the face of Philippine MMA, Folayang established himself as one of the sport’s pioneering figures in the country. The Baguio City native made history in 2016 when he defeated Shinya Aoki to become the first Filipino athlete to win a ONE World Championship.

Throughout his career, Folayang’s explosive Wushu-based striking style helped produce numerous memorable performances. His achievements have made him one of the most respected and recognizable athletes in ONE Championship history.

At 42 years old, Folayang continues to compete against high-level opposition while seeking another successful chapter in his storied career. The veteran remains determined to show that he can still perform on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

His opponent, Isojima, arrives looking for the signature victory of his young career. The Japanese fighter announced himself with a TKO win over Nicolas Vigna before suffering defeats against Tye Ruotolo and Adrian Lee.

Despite those setbacks, Isojima remains a dangerous opponent with plenty to prove. A victory over a former world champion would immediately elevate his standing and provide a major boost to his career trajectory.

For Folayang, the matchup presents an opportunity to remind fans of the qualities that made him one of the most beloved figures in Asian mixed martial arts. For Isojima, it offers a chance to claim the biggest win of his career against one of the sport’s most respected veterans.