Joshua Pacio gets second crack at Yosuke Saruta

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ Joshua Pacio tries to reclaim the ONE Championship strawweight crown as he clashes with reigning titlist Yosuke Saruta of Japan in a rematch tonight in the ONE: Roots of Honor at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Pacio, 23, lost his belt to Saruta in a split decision in ONE: Eternal Glory on Jan. 20 in Jakarta, Indonesia in a match that could have gone either way.

And the Team Lakay bet vows to do everything to regain the belt in front of the hometown crowd.

“My country and countrymen are always my inspiration. I draw strength from them,” said Pacio. “That’s why I will do my best to win this fight, regain my belt and make my fellow Filipinos proud.”

Pacio, who owns a 10-3 (win-loss) record, said his game plan is to focus on his strengths – striking – and try to evade what Saruta, who has a 19-8-3 (win-loss-draw) mark, does best – submission.

The last time the two battled, Pacio had some moments when he landed some significant shots while Saruta went to his unorthodox takedown skills that may have swayed the judges to score the match in his favor.