ONE Strawweight World Champion Yosuke Saruta wants former champion Yoshitaka Naito next

After taking care of business against the Philippines’ Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, newly-crowned ONE Strawweight World Champion Yosuke “Tobizaru” Saruta is calling for an all-Japanese world title bout.

Saruta defeated Pacio via split decision to become the new king of the strawweight division in the main event of ONE: ETERNAL GLORY at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia this past January 19th, and now, he’d like to test his skills against a former two-time champion in Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito.

“I want to fight “Nobita” Naito,” Saruta said via his interpreter. “He was a previous champion, and I want to test who’s the best in Japan.”

Saruta believes that his most recent win has put him in the top three of the division, along with Pacio and Naito.

“Basically, it’s Joshua, Naito, and me, we’re the three best strawweights in ONE. I’ve beaten Joshua, so I want Naito next.”

As for his title bout with Pacio, Saruta admits that it was a tough five-round affair.

“I was just really focused, I was just going for the belt, I don’t really remember a lot of what went on during the fight, all I know is I’m the champ.”

“One thing I can remember is that it was really really tough,” he added.

With that being said, it is definitely possible that the two top-tier strawweights do battle once again for the title, with their first encounter being a closely-contested affair.

Saruta says that he has no problem whatsoever if ONE decides to book a Saruta versus Pacio sequel.

“If ONE decides for us to have a rematch, then bring it on. Anytime. I never say no to a match,” said the Japanese titleholder. “I’ll fight anyone, anytime.”