Two of the best strawweight, battle it out last night in Manila in ONE Championship : Masters of Fate.
Defending champ at only 23 Joshua Pacio of Team Lakay ward off a commendable challenge by Rene Sornito Catalan of the Catalan Fighting System Philippines. R1 ,Pacio connect with Team Lakay’s trademark back kick. The first round was tight as they entangled each other to try to best each other attacking the legs. R1 ended with Joshua dominating from top position.
R2 with strikes exchange early on. Rene caught Joshua’s roundhouse going for take down. Joshua defended well got side control, knee to Rene’s head. Moved into mount, then progress to Rene’s left side to tighten his arm triangle choke. Rene tap at 2:29 R2.
This is Joshua’s first title defence after he won back the title by defeating Yosuke Saruta in April.
Rene is 40 years old and this is his 1st lost since Dec 2014. He never wanted to challenge a fellow Filipino, but as he raised up the strawweight rank, eventually his path cross with Joshua.
Catalan Fighting System did not go back empty handed as Rene’s younger brother Robin scored a head kick KO victory in R2 over Gustavo Balart in the prelims

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