By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/ PNA
MANILA — Yosuke Saruta will make his first title defense of the ONE strawweight title against the fighter whom he snatched the belt from.
As ordered by ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong, Saruta will once again take on Joshua Pacio at ONE: Roots of Honor at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on April 12.
Saruta and Pacio first faced off at ONE: Eternal Glory in Jakarta on Jan. 20.
Saruta, who replaced Hayato Suzuki as Pacio’s challenger due to injury, pulled off a shocker by beating the erstwhile champ via split decision.
However, the outcome became subject to discussions as many observers, including Sityodtong himself, thought Pacio should have won the fight, leading to the rematch order.
Saruta will not just have to deal with Pacio but also defend the title in front of the raucous Filipino fans.
In the headliner, Martin Nguyen makes his return from injury, defending his ONE featherweight belt against former champ Narantungalag Jadambaa.
