Unexpected Clash of Generations: Mikey Musumeci vs Shinya Aoki

Relive the unexpected clash of generations between Mikey Musumeci and Shinya Aoki at ONE Fight Night 15. Discover how Musumeci emerged victorious using Aoki’s own signature move, the Aoki Lock. Read about Joshua Pacio’s perspective on this standout moment of 2023 and his journey towards reclaiming the strawweight gold.

Clash of Generations

As we bid farewell to 2023, Joshua Pacio reminisces about the high-profile match-ups that captivated the MMA world. Among them, one stands out as a clash of generations that no one saw coming.

In a surprising move, ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci stepped out of his weight class to face off against the legendary Shinya Aoki in an openweight contest. The showdown took place at ONE Fight Night 15 in October, and it was an event that left an indelible mark on the combat sports landscape.

Musumeci, known for his technical prowess and relentless drive, showcased his skills against the pioneer and icon of the game, Aoki. The match unfolded at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, with a passionate audience in attendance.

To everyone’s astonishment, Musumeci not only emerged victorious but also submitted his opponent using Aoki’s own signature move, the Aoki Lock. It was a moment that symbolized the passing of the torch from mentor to next-gen.

Pacio’s Perspective

During an interview with ONE Championship , Joshua Pacio, the former ONE strawweight MMA world champion, shared his thoughts on the Musumeci-Aoki fight. He described it as a standout moment of 2023, highlighting the clash between mentor and next-gen. Pacio couldn’t help but admire Musumeci’s skill and strategy, especially when he executed the Aoki Lock.

Pacio’s Journey in 2023

For Joshua Pacio, 2023 was a year of redemption and resilience. After losing his strawweight world championship to Jarred Brooks in December 2022, Pacio faced the challenge of proving himself once again. Many saw his defeat as an opportunity for fellow strawweight contenders to surpass him in the rankings.

However, Pacio silenced the doubters at ONE Fight Night 15 by defeating the highly touted Mansur Malachiev. This victory solidified his position as a top contender in the division and set the stage for a rematch with Brooks at ONE 166 in Qatar on March 1.

With his sights set on reclaiming the strawweight gold, Pacio is determined to show the world that he is a force to be reckoned with.