Yoshitaka Naito Says The World Title Is ‘Part Of Him’

Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito will do everything in his power to make sure he does not lose the ONE Strawweight World Title again.

The Japanese star is enjoying his second reign with the belt after reclaiming the title from Alex “Little Rock” Silva at ONE: GRIT AND GLORY in May.

His will make his first defense since that match when he returns to Indonesia’s Jakarta Convention Centre on Saturday, 22 September.  There, he will enter another rematch – this time against Joshua “The Passion” Pacio at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES.

As the grappling specialist explains in this new feature video, losing the World Title last December was “like losing a friend,” and he does not feel complete without it.

“The World Title gives meaning to my life,” he says. “It is a part of me and, in a way, the most important part of my life.

“Getting it back was like being reacquainted with an old companion.”

Naito first met Pacio at ONE: STATE OF WARRIORS in October 2016, and defeated him via third-round rear-naked choke in a stirring comeback.

Since that time, the 22-year-old Filipino has won three straight bouts, and he has finished each of his opponents en route to the second chance of a lifetime.