Mansur Malachiev is not coming to Bangkok for revenge. He is coming for the belt. The Dagestani grappler gets his shot at Joshua Pacio's ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship in the main event of The Inner Circle 21 on Friday, July 10, airing on live.onefc.com, and this time he is leaving nothing to chance.
The two rivals first met in 2023, when Pacio handed Malachiev the only defeat of his career via unanimous decision. What makes that result even harder for the Russian to accept is the context surrounding it.
Malachiev walked into that fight compromised, and he has made peace with the circumstances while refusing to let them define the outcome of their rivalry.
"Last time, I went into the fight with a leg injury, and I had little time to prepare. This time, I was able to complete a full training camp. Now I am in full fighting condition," he said.
The difference in preparation is significant. A Dagestani grappler operating at full capacity is a vastly different proposition to one hampered by injury and short on camp time, and Malachiev has spent the months since their first meeting rebuilding his credentials in the most convincing fashion possible.
Against Pacio, 30, a Lions Nation MMA product riding a three-fight win streak with a 23-5 career record, Malachiev has identified the blueprint for victory with characteristic directness.
"His strong side is his striking, but he is not very strong in wrestling, especially freestyle wrestling. I have a goal — to win early. I am ready for everything, even if that means going all five rounds," he explained.
The personal dynamic between the two rivals is one of mutual respect rather than animosity, and Malachiev is clear-eyed about what this fight means to him beyond the emotion of settling a score.
"There is no revenge for me. Pacio is a good, humble guy. The belt is the goal I have been striving for. I intend to win the belt that I believe should have become mine," he added.
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