Joshua Pacio stakes ONE-C crown versus Yosuke Saruta

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ Joshua Pacio defends his ONE Championship strawweight title versus grizzled veteran Yosuke Saruta of Japan in ONE: Eternal Glory on Jan. 19 at the Istorya Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Pacio, 22, will be brandishing not just his well-polished striking but also his much-improved ground defense when he clashes with the 31-year-old Saruta, who booked a title shot after he edged former division titlist Alex Silva in ONE: Destiny of Champions early this month.

The Team Lakay standout unseated Yoshitaka Naito in ONE: Conquest of Heroes in Jakarta, Indonesia in September to take the belt.

It was Pacio’s fourth straight win and 13th overall in 15 fights.

The Filipino champion will also be looking at becoming the first division champion to make a successful title defense in two years after the last two former champions – Naito and Silva – dropped theirs.

Pacio, however, could be put to an acid test as he tackles a seasoned Saruta, a shooto professional who owns an 18-8 (win-loss) slate.

Saruta has made a living out of beating his opponents with his heavy hands and dangerous grappling skills and should pose a problem to Pacio.

There were reports early this month that Pacio was to meet Hayato Suzuki, the same fighter who scored a first-round submission win via rear-naked choke against the former in ONE: Kings and Conquerors in August last year.

But ONE decided to send in Saruta instead.