Suzuki out, Saruta in for Pacio's first strawweight title defence

[EndlessCritic]

https://mmajunkie.com/2018/12/yosuk...u-imanari-among-one-championship-87-additions

ONE's strawweight merry-go-round continues. For background:

-Joshua Pacio just upset Yoshitaka Naito to win the title in a rematch. (Naito won the first fight.)
-Naito had just won the title back (also in a rematch) from Alex Silva.
-For Pacio's first title defence, he was expected to rematch Hayato Suzuki, who had previously finished Pacio.
-Hayato's only loss is to Alex Silva.

A couple of months ago a relatively unheralded Yosuke Saruta made his ONE debut against Alex Silva, and upset the former champion. While springing him up the contender ladder, nobody thought he'd get a title shot this quickly. But, with Hayato Suzuki injured, Saruta will now fight for the ONE title in only his second ONE fight.

Saruta is a decent fighter, but the 22 year old Pacio just keeps looking better every fight. I have to think he cruises to another win here.

 

[Falconkick]

Pacio finishes him, Saruta is tough but within 25 minutes especially Pacio should find the finish on the feet or ground. Afterwards, at some point Suzuki rematch will happen. I was looking forward to this match, good save by ONE

 

[EndlessCritic]

89 casuals viewed this thread and didn't respond. christ people the strawweight division is awesome.

 

[Asurah]

Tobizaru got this

 

[K4BOSH]

Pacio for the win. His whole team is on a roll rhis year with 4 total World Champions in ONE Championship...plus another one for BRAVE.

 

[EndlessCritic]

Pacio for the win. His whole team is on a roll rhis year with 4 total World Champions in ONE Championship...plus another one for BRAVE.

Four... yes. But Belingon's win was razor thin, and Eustaquio's was something else.

 

[EndlessCritic]

SARUTA DOES IT> SARUTA DOES IT>

new world champ boys. razor close decision. pacio just wasn't effective enough on the feet.

 

[lukeuidswords]

Four... yes. But Belingon's win was razor thin, and Eustaquio's was something else.

Eustaquio's was a blatant robbery, surprised Pacio had the decision go against him tonight but glad

 

[EndlessCritic]

Eustaquio's was a blatant robbery, surprised Pacio had the decision go against him tonight but glad

https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Joshua-Pacio-154651

Sherdog thinks Pacio won lol.

 

[Falconkick]

Saruta on that Japan card defending his belt now against Suzuki or?? Seems like a win/win for ONE and the Japanese market they are tapping into.

 

[EndlessCritic]

Saruta on that Japan card defending his belt now against Suzuki or?? Seems like a win/win for ONE and the Japanese market they are tapping into.

card is already way too stacked to add another title fight

 

[Falconkick]

..I kid