Joshua Pacio VS Yosuke Saruta rematch set on April 12 in Manila

Updated: 

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - Team Lakay's Joshua Pacio is set for a rematch against ONE Strawweight World Champion Yosuke Saruta in the Co-Main event of ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR at the Mall of Asia in Manila on April 12. 
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It wasn't an easy bout for the Igorot fighter from the famed Team Lakay gym of Baguio city to defend his ONE strawweight titlte against challenger Yosuke Saruta. 

The 23-year old lost the five-round match via razor-thin split decision in the main event of ONE: ETERNAL GLORY in Jakarta, Indonesia last Saturday. 

It was a close decision verdict by the judges that favored the Japanese fighter due to his aggressiveness and effective take downs in the final rounds. But Pacio was able to deliver impressive counter-punches thus making the match very close. 

A rematch between the two is inevitable to happen very soon considering the very close decision from the judges that both fighters agreed if ONE championship would push through.

"If ONE tells me to do the rematch then, bring it on. I never say no to a match. I'll fight anyone at anytime," Saruta said about the possible rematch.

Meanwhile, Pacio accepted his loss and said the fight was a huge learning experience for him. 

"Agree or not, I have to agree because that's the decision of ONE Championship so next time I fight, I need to win convincingly," Pacio said.

"This fight is a huge learning experience. The loss motivates me to keep training and improve my weakness in both my attacks and defense," he added.

Asked about the potential second fight with Saruta, Pacio is much willing to do it again as much as possible.

"I want a rematch right away but it would still depend on ONE. I'm motivated to come back and I can't wait to train again and return to the cage," Pacio responded.

Besides, no less than the CEO and Chairman of ONE Championship Chatri Sidyodthong suggested there will be a rematch because he was very disappointed about the result. In his perspective, Pacio clearly won the fight. 

"My personal opinion, as a life-long martial artist, I think Joshua Pacio won the fight. I was very disappointed," Sityodthong said.

"Just for me, from my perspective, I thought Joshua won. so yes there will be a rematch," he added.

On January 25th, Pacio's team mates, ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje Eustaquio will defend his title against former opponent Adriano Moraes in the main event of ONE: Hero's Ascent at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.