ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong doesn't expect a third bout between Joshua Pacio and Yosuke Saruta following their ONE Strawweight World Championship rematch at ONE: Roots of Honor on Friday.
Speaking to reporters at the conclusion of the Manila fightcard, the outspoken executive said that the Filipino champion left nothing beyond doubt when he knocked out his Japanese rival with a sick knee in the fourth round to reclaim the belt.
"Joshua was the clear winner so I don't see a third one unless Saruta works his way back up," he said.
Pacio was going for a head kick but Saruta ducked so low that the Igorot warrior's knee landed straight into his head that led to the match's end at the 2:43 mark of the fourth round.
"That was definitive. If you get knocked out like that, you got to work your way back up," he said.
Sityodtong was quick to issue an immediate rematch to Pacio after Saruta took the ONE strawweight world title in a controversial split decision win in Jakarta back in January.
This time, though, he was firm and knew that the bout won't be left to the judges' hands.
"I knew that they would both adjust their game plan," he said. "If you look at Pacio, he was very tentative in that last fight, but I knew he had the knockout power and that showed in this match."
But Sityodtong gave a toast to Saruta with how the deposed champion has held himself like a champion in this rematch.
"Truth be told, I was impressed with Saruta. He had the better exchanges. He really wanted to win the fight. But tonight, it was Joshua's."
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