Pacio to Defend Title Against Malachiev; Folayang Faces Isojima at The Inner Circle 21

ONE Championship is set to deliver an exciting night of mixed martial arts as two prominent Filipino fighters prepare for their respective bouts at The Inner Circle 21, streaming exclusively for members on live.onefc.com. The event will take place on Friday, July 10, at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, coinciding with prime viewing hours in Asia.

The main event features Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, the reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion, as he defends his title against Russian contender Mansur Malachiev in a highly anticipated rematch. This clash marks a continuation of their rivalry that began three years ago at ONE Fight Night 15, where Pacio handed Malachiev his sole professional loss via unanimous decision.

Since that encounter, Pacio has successfully navigated a series of challenges, reclaiming his title from Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks at ONE 166: Qatar in March 2024, and unifying the championship after defeating Brooks again in February 2025. Now, with a renewed determination to prove his initial victory was no fluke, he steps into the cage ready to face a Malachiev who has been formidable since their last meeting.

Malachiev, a skilled grappler, has rebounded impressively, securing a dominant win over former champion Yosuke “The Ninja” Saruta and recently submitting Brooks in a stunning performance last October. This rematch promises to be a thrilling duel between grappling and striking styles.

In the co-main event, the legendary Eduard “Landslide” Folayang returns to competition against Japan's Shozo “Great Teacher” Isojima. Folayang, a three-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion, has had a storied career and is considered a pioneer in Asian martial arts. After a notable victory against Amir Khan in 2023, he faced a setback with a submission loss to rival Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki in March 2025, but now aims to add another highlight to his impressive legacy.

Isojima, a talented judoka, is also seeking to revitalize his career after mixed results in recent bouts. With aspirations of climbing the ranks in the lightweight division, defeating a seasoned veteran like Folayang would provide him with significant momentum and recognition on the global stage. Fans can expect an action-packed evening filled with top-tier MMA on July 10.

For further updates and details about The Inner Circle 21, visit onefc.com.