By Adrian Stewart Co

Mixed martial artist Joshua Pacio of Baguio City faces Japanese opponent Yosuke Saruta tonight for the ONE Championship strawweight belt at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The two previously fought last January in Jakarta, Indonesia with Saruta emerging the victor via split decision.

“I prepared hard for this rematch and, hopefully, I can bring the championship back to our country,” Pacio said. “Our last encounter was a close match and it could have gone either way.”

“I was a bit caught off guard the last time we faced each other – and out of focus – but I’m more focused and more confident this time around,” he added. “I’m not going to hesitate this time and I will stick to the game plan.”

Pacio, who will be fighting for Benguet-based Team Lakay, enters the bout with a 13-3 win-loss record. Saruta, meanwhile, carries a 19-8-3 win-loss-draw record.

Last month, Ilonggo mixed martial arts fighter Rene Catalan scored a first round submission win over former strawweight world champion Yoshitaka Naito during the ONE Championship event “ONE: Reign of Valor” in Yangon, Myanmar.

The victory, which was the Santa Barbara native’s sixth consecutive win, put him in ONE FC world title contention./ASC, WDJ