Team Lakay’s young gun Joshua Pacio (9-2) would have to go back to the drawing board as his youth got the best of him, succumbing to a rear naked choke from Hayato Suzuki (17-0-2) of Japan, Saturday evening at the Cotai Arena in Macao.
The loss was Pacio’s second in his last three fights. After suffering his first career loss to reigning ONE World Strawweight Champion Yoshitaka Naito, the 21-year-old was able to bounce back, taking a split decision win against Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke last March 11.
However, his next title aspirations took a backseat after this loss.
The unbeaten Japanese fighter immediately grounded Pacio to open the fight and was quickly able to secure the back of the young Igorot. From there, the 31-year-old veteran was quick to sink a rear naked choke that forced the tap out with 3:17 remaining.
