‘He Taught Me Everything’ – MMA Superstar Joshua Pacio Honors The Late Uncle Who Introduced Him To Martial Arts

The pain is still fresh for reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio. Two months have passed since his uncle Ray’s sudden death from heart problems in April, but the grief remains raw.

Ray wasn’t just Pacio’s uncle – he was his mentor, his first coach, the reason he took up combat sports, and the driving force behind his championship dreams.

A respected member of the Filipino martial arts community, Ray saw something special in his nephew from Baguio City, first pushing the youngster in training while teaching him that true strength comes from faith.

As Pacio now continues his reign as a ONE World Champion, every technique he utilizes carries the memory of the man who made it all possible. The loss has been devastating, but it has also crystallized what matters most for the 29-year-old.

Pacio told onefc.com:

“My uncle introduced me to martial arts. He believed in me that I would become a champion someday. He pushed me to my limits in training. He taught me to train hard and at the same time to train smart.

“But not only that, he also stood as a father to me, a spiritual father. He taught me to trust in Jesus no matter what.”

The importance of this relationship cannot be overstated. Even long after “The Passion” had established himself as one of ONE Championship’s biggest stars, he still turned to his uncle for guidance.

Ray’s dedication to the fighter’s success never wavered, and his passion for the sport remained infectious as Pacio reached the pinnacle of mixed martial arts.

Whether it was detailed messages about techniques or breakdowns of the world’s best MMA competitors, Ray was always there with advice and encouragement. His research was meticulous, his commitment unwavering, and his belief in Pacio absolute:

“He’s my uncle, but I felt that he was my father, physically and spiritually. He taught me everything. Even when I was already at this level, any time I messaged him, even if it was the early morning, if I messaged him, he’d answer immediately. I’d ask him, for example, what kind of training I could do for this, and he’d advise me on it.

“He didn’t stop looking for new ways. He didn’t stop researching. He’d research every top fighter on the planet and look at how they train. He really played a big role in my career.”

For Pacio, every fight now carries added meaning. Each victory is not just for himself, his team, or his country – it’s a tribute to the man who started it all.

According to “The Passion,” the skills that Ray taught him years ago continue to serve him well, and utilizing them under ONE’s bright lights is now his way of keeping his uncle’s memory alive.

The strawweight MMA king knows that somewhere, Ray is watching and smiling as those lessons come together when it matters the most:

“I know that if I apply the skills in a fight that he taught me, he is happy, and I know that by applying what he taught is the thing that will honor him.”

Lessons Inside And Outside Of Competition

Ray’s influence on Joshua Pacio extends far beyond martial arts.

As a firm believer in developing every aspect of his nephew’s character, Ray introduced Pacio to the world of music, teaching him how to play the guitar and drums.

The titleholder still remembers those sessions fondly, even if his devotion to martial arts ultimately took precedence:

“I have a lot of memorable experiences with my uncle. He taught me about playing drums and guitar. I know how to play these instruments, but not that good, because when it’s time to practice instruments, I’m in front of the punching bag training.

“That’s why he taught me about time management – that there’s always a time for everything.”

Perhaps the most vivid memory Pacio carries is their early training sessions together. Ray didn’t just teach techniques; he demonstrated them with full intensity.

One particular sparring session stands out in “The Passion’s” mind. It was a moment that perfectly encapsulated his uncle’s teaching philosophy:

“He was also the first one to almost knock me out. I charged at his back kick, and I was almost knocked out. All of the ideas, when it comes to footwork and training in general, came from him.”