ONE Chairman predicts a finish on Pacio-Saruta rematch

MANILA—ONE Championship chairman Chatri Sityodtong predicted that the rematch between Joshua Pacio and Yosuke Saruta would not go the distance when they met inside the cage last Friday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Pacio, 23, lost his ONE strawweight world title to the Japanese by razor-thin split decision last January. The second meeting between the two took place last week, and it was the Filipino who had his hand raised by fourth-round knockout.

"I predicted that there is going to be a finish in the second Pacio versus Saruta fight," said Sityodtong.

"I knew that they would both adjust their game plans. If you look at Pacio's mistake in the first fight, he was tentatively going back. I knew he had the KO power and also Saruta tends to drop his hands a lot."

Sityodtong noted that he was impressed by Saruta despite losing the title. He further tells that Pacio's visiting foe was seemingly winning the fight until the knockout took place.

"I was really impressed with Saruta to tell you the truth. He really came out to win the fight, and he was winning the fight," he told. "He was getting the better of the exchanges. I think Pacio was starting to get tentative again, but he pulled it off in the end."

Despite both fighters holding a 1-1 record against each other, Sityodtong also feels that the latest result between the two is enough to close this specific chapter in Pacio's MMA career.

"Joshua is the clear winner so I don't see a third one unless Saruta earns his way back to the top." —LBG, GMA News