They’ve fought under the brightest lights in the fight game. Robert Whittaker carved his name into UFC history as a middleweight champion. Manny Pacquiao conquered eight divisions and became a global boxing icon. Now, the two legends are stepping into an arena unlike anything they’ve faced before. No octagons. No title belts. No judges. Just raw endurance and national pride on the line.

Netflix is bringing the chaos. The streaming giant’s new series, Physical: Asia, takes combat sports stars out of their comfort zones and throws them into a survival gauntlet of strength and grit. What started in Korea as Physical: 100—a cult hit testing everyday athletes—has now gone global with an all-star lineup. And this time, the spotlight is on Whittaker and Pacquiao.

The question writes itself: what happens when two of the toughest fighters alive trade fight camps for obstacle courses? 

Why are Robert Whittaker and Manny Pacquiao in Physical Asia?   

Physical: Asia follows a very interesting format. In the show, contestants represent their respective countries by indulging in physical tasks that test both their strength and endurance. Following the format, Robert Whittaker will represent Australia, while Manny Pacquiao will carry the flag of the Philippines.

Alongside two of the most renowned combat sports athletes in the world, the show features a diverse pool of talent from across Asia. ONE Championship Kickboxing Champion Superbon Singha Mawynn will represent Thailand. Meanwhile, Japan will be represented by two fighters—former UFC veteran Yushin Okami and PFL fighter Kana Watanabe.

In addition, former UFC fighter Dong Hyun Kim will step in for South Korea, and ONE Championship’s Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu will also join the star-studded cast. At first glance, the show looks highly promising with the caliber of talent set to compete. However, the director of the show already seems to be backing one star contestant to make it to the finals. 

Yoo Ki-hwan, Netflix Korea’s director of content, has already shown support for Manny Pacquiao. In an interview with CNA Lifestyle, he said, “Since it’s a national competition, I’ll be rooting for Korea, but I also hope Manny Pacquiao makes it to the end.” With that statement, the boxing legend has already earned some backing from the key figures behind Physical: Asia. But the real question of the hour is — when will the event release? And what are the rules? Let’s dive into that. 

When will Netflix’s multi-national event start? 

According to the Netflix trailer, Physical: Asia is set to hit screens in October 2025, although the exact date hasn’t been revealed yet. Fans won’t have to wait long to watch their favorite athletes take on grueling tasks. Now that we know when the event begins and how the format works, the next big question is — what about the rules?

Well, Netflix Korea’s director of content shed some light on that as well. In the CNA Lifestyle article, he revealed: “This season follows a national team format, where if a country is eliminated, all its competitors are eliminated together.” In other words, if Whittaker or Pacquiao gets eliminated, their entire team goes with them.

With that being said, what do you think about Physical: Asia as a show? Do you find the format interesting? And what are your thoughts on Robert Whittaker and Manny Pacquiao starring in it? Let us know in the comments below.