Yosuke Saruta

Yosuke Saruta
BornYosuke Saruta
(1987-07-08) July 8, 1987 (age 37)
Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
Native name猿田洋祐
NicknameTobizaru No. 2[1]
ResidenceSaitama, Japan
NationalityJapanese[2]
Height160 cm (5 ft 3 in)
Weight57 kg (125.7 lb; 9.0 st)
DivisionFlyweight (2008–2016, 2018-present)
Strawweight (2016–2018)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofTokyo, Japan
TeamReversal Gym Kawaguchi REDIPS (2008–2014)
Wajutsu Keishukai Hearts[3] (2014–present)
RankBrown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Years active2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total37
Wins21
By knockout6
By submission2
By decision13
Losses13
By knockout7
By decision6
Draws3
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Yosuke Saruta (Japanese: 猿田 洋祐, Saruta Yōsuke, born July 8, 1987) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who last competed in the strawweight division of ONE Championship.[4][5]

A professional competitor since 2008, he is the former ONE Strawweight Champion and former Shooto World Flyweight (114lbs) Champion.

Personal life

Saruta was born in Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan. Saruta was active in extracurricular activities in his youth, and had a focus on gymnastics. He wanted to become an Olympic athlete for his country. When he was 18, Saruta saw Norifumi Yamamoto on television and decided to begin training in mixed martial arts.[6][7]

He is married.[8]

Mixed martial arts career

Shooto

Saruta made his professional MMA debut on January 26, 2008 at Shooto: Back to Our Roots 7 against Kota Funaki. He would lose the bout by TKO.[9]

On August 9, 2009, Saruta got his first professional victory over Takahiro Kohori at Shooto: Gig Saitama 1 by first-round TKO.[10]

Between August 2011 and April 2013, Saruta had his first-ever winning streak. He won five consecutive bouts in Shooto with two submissions and a knockout during the run. During this run, he won the Shooto Infinity Bantamweight tournament, with a majority decision win over Masumi Tozawa.[11] This would earn him a title shot versus Ryuichi Miki. Their first bout ended in a draw, and their second in a unanimous decision loss for Saruta.[12] After early failed attempts at winning Shooto titles, Saruta moved to Tokyo and changed camps to begin training with Wajutsu Keishukai Hearts.

After an up-and-down stretch that saw Saruta go 3-4-1, the Japanese fighter began another five-match unbeaten streak that would lead to a flyweight title shot against Ryuto Sawada. On October 15, 2017, Saruta defeated Sawada by knockout in the fourth round to capture the Shooto flyweight championship.[13] Following that, he achieved a decision win over Kiyotaka Shimizu and defended his title against Itchaku Murata, winning by way of TKO.[14]

ONE Championship

On December 7, 2018, Saruta made his ONE Championship debut against former strawweight champion, Alex Silva. He won by unanimous decision.[15]

The victory in his ONE Championship debut earned Saruta a title shot against Joshua Pacio. On January 19, 2019, Saruta edged out Pacio by split decision to win the ONE strawweight world championship.[16]

Yosuke Saruta would fight a rematch with Joshua Pacio at ONE: Roots of Honor. Saruta lost the bout, after being knocked out by a knee in the fourth round.[17]

At ONE Century, Saruta bounced back with a KO victory over the Pancrase strawweight champion Daichi Kitakata, stopping his opponent in the first minute of the second round.[18]

Saruta next faced Yoshitaka Naito at Road to One 3: Tokyo Fight Night on September 10, 2020.[19] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[20]

Saruta faced Joshua Pacio in a trilogy match for the ONE Strawweight Championship at ONE Championship: Revolution on September 24, 2021.[21] He lost the bout via TKO in the first round.[22]

Saruta was expected to face Gustavo Balart at ONE: Bad Blood on February 11, 2022.[23] Saruta withdrew from the bout, after testing positive for COVID-19 on the day of the event.[24] The fight was rescheduled for ONE 156 on April 22, 2022.[25] Saruta lost the fight by unanimous decision.[26]

Returning off an almost 2 year layoff, Saruta faced Mansur Malachiev on February 17, 2024 at ONE Fight Night 19, losing the fight via unanimous decision.[27]

Saruta faced Keito Yamakita on August 3, 2024, at ONE Fight Night 24.[28] He lost the fight via split decision.[29]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
37 matches 21 wins 13 losses
By knockout 6 7
By submission 2 0
By decision 13 6
Draws 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 21–13–3 Keito Yamakita Decision (split) ONE Fight Night 24 August 3, 2024 3 5:00 Bangkok, Thailand
Loss 21–12–3 Mansur Malachiev Decision (unanimous) ONE Fight Night 19 February 17, 2024 3 5:00 Bangkok, Thailand
Loss 21–11–3 Gustavo Balart Decision (unanimous) ONE 156 April 22, 2022 3 5:00 Kallang, Singapore
Loss 21–10–3 Joshua Pacio TKO (punches) ONE: Revolution September 24, 2021 1 3:38 Kallang, Singapore For the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).
Win 21–9–3 Yoshitaka Naito Decision (unanimous) Road to ONE: Tokyo Fight Night 3 September 10, 2020 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 20–9–3 Daichi Kitakata KO (punches) ONE: Century – Part 2 October 13, 2019 2 0:59 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 19–9–3 Joshua Pacio KO (head kick) ONE: Roots of Honor April 12, 2019 4 2:43 Pasay, Philippines Lost the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).
Win 19–8–3 Joshua Pacio Decision (split) ONE: Eternal Glory January 19, 2019 5 5:00 Jakarta, Indonesia Won the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).
Win 18–8–3 Alex Silva Decision (unanimous) ONE: Destiny of Champions December 7, 2018 3 5:00 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Loss 17–8–3 Takumi Tamaru TKO (doctor stoppage) Professional Shooto 7/15 July 15, 2018 3 3:49 Tokyo, Japan Return to Flyweight.
Win 17–7–3 Itchaku Murata KO (punches) Professional Shooto 5/13 May 13, 2018 3 0:45 Kanagawa, Japan Defended the Shooto Flyweight Championship.
Win 16–7–3 Kiyotaka Shimizu Decision (unanimous) Professional Shooto 1/28 January 28, 2018 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 15–7–3 Ryuto Sawada KO (punches) Professional Shooto 10/15 October 15, 2017 4 2:37 Chiba, Japan Won the Shooto Flyweight Championship.
Win 14–7–3 Koha Minowa Decision (unanimous) Professional Shooto 4/23 April 23, 2017 3 5:00 Chiba, Japan
Draw 13–7–3 Junji Ito Draw (majority) Professional Shooto 1/29 January 29, 2017 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 13–7–2 Luis Gonzalez Decision (unanimous) Professional Shooto 7/17 July 17, 2016 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 12–7–2 Teppei Maeyama Decision (unanimous) Professional Shooto 3/21 March 21, 2016 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 11–7–2 Hiroshi Roppongi KO (punch) Professional Shooto 1/11 January 11, 2016 2 0:18 Tokyo, Japan Strawweight debut.
Loss 10–7–2 Hiromasa Ougikubo Decision (unanimous) Professional Shooto 11/29 November 29, 2015 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 10–6–2 Taku Kajikawa Decision (unanimous) Professional Shooto 7/26 July 26, 2015 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 9–6–2 Hayato Suzuki Decision (unanimous) Grandslam MMA 2: Way of the Cage February 8, 2015 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 9–5–2 Mamoru Yamaguchi TKO (doctor stoppage) VTJ 6th October 4, 2014 2 0:25 Tokyo, Japan
Win 9–4–2 Shunichi Shimizu Decision (unanimous) Grandslam MMA 1: Way of the Cage July 13, 2014 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 8–4–2 Masaaki Sugawara Decision (majority) Shooto: Gig Tokyo 16 April 20, 2014 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 7–4–2 Ryuichi Miki Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 5th Round 2013 November 9, 2013 5 5:00 Tokyo, Japan For the Shooto Bantamweight Championship.
Draw 7–3–2 Ryuichi Miki Draw (split) Shooto: 3rd Round 2013 July 27, 2013 5 5:00 Tokyo, Japan For the Shooto Bantamweight Championship.
Win 7–3–1 Kentaro Watanabe KO (punches) Shooto: Border: Season 5 - First April 7, 2013 1 3:52 Osaka, Japan
Win 6–3–1 Masumi Tozawa Decision (majority) Shooto: The Rookie Tournament Final 2012 December 15, 2012 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 5–3–1 Yuki Nishigo Technical Submission (guillotine choke) Shooto: Gig Tokyo 11 August 25, 2012 1 3:26 Tokyo, Japan
Win 4–3–1 Hiroshi Osato Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Gig Tokyo 9 April 14, 2012 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 3–3–1 Akinobu Watanabe Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: Gig Tokyo 7 August 6, 2011 1 1:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 2–3–1 Tatsuya Nakashima TKO (arm injury) Shooto: Shooting Disco 11: Tora Tora Tora! February 27, 2010 1 1:54 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 2–2–1 Nozumi Otsuka Draw (split) Shooto: The Rookie Tournament 2009 Final December 13, 2009 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 2–2 Jun Nagasoe Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Gig Tokyo 3 October 18, 2009 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 1–2 Takahiro Kohori TKO (punches) Shooto: Gig Saitama 1 August 9, 2009 1 3:06 Fujimi, Japan
Loss 0–2 Nozomi Otsuka TKO (corner stoppage) Shooto - Shooting Disco 5: Earth, Wind and Fighter June 21, 2008 2 3:25 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 0–1 Kota Funaki TKO (towel, punches) Shooto: Back to Our Roots 7 January 26, 2008 2 2:22 Tokyo, Japan Flyweight debut.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Yosuka Saruta Profile". Sherdog. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  2. ^ Yosuke Saruta profile at ONE Championship
  3. ^ "日本人唯一人のONE世界王者・猿田洋祐、海外で勝つには「平常心が大事」＝2019年1月ベストファイターインタビュー". efight.jp. February 18, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  4. ^ Staff Writer (January 25, 2019). "Shooto strikes partnership with ONE Championship". Asia MMA. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  5. ^ "Yosuke "The Ninja" Saruta | ONE Championship - Athletes". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  6. ^ "Yosuke Saruta's Goal In Life Is To Be The Best In The World | ONE Championship - Features". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. January 13, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  7. ^ "How Yosuke Saruta Left His Home Behind To Achieve His Dream | ONE Championship - Features". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. January 15, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  8. ^ "The Woman Behind Yosuke Saruta | ONE Feature". Youtube.com. April 5, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  9. ^ Sherdog.com. "Shooto - Back To Our Roots 7". Sherdog. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  10. ^ "Yosuke Saruta ("Tobizaru") | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  11. ^ "FIGHTERS選手紹介猿田洋祐". shooto-mma.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  12. ^ "SHOOTO 5th Round 2013 live results". asiamma.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  13. ^ "【Shooto】猿田洋祐、三度目の世界タイトル挑戦で悲願のストロー級王座獲得". mmaplanet.jp. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  14. ^ "【Shooto】2階級制覇を狙うストロー級王者・猿田洋祐がフライ級で清水清隆に競り勝つ". mmaplanet.jp. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  15. ^ "ONE Championship: Destiny of Champions live results & highlights". FanSided. December 7, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  16. ^ "ONE Championship 87 results, video highlights: Yosuke Saruta takes strawweight belt from Joshua Pacio". MMA Junkie. January 19, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  17. ^ "WATCH: Joshua Pacio scores sensational KO, reclaims ONE title". Rappler. April 13, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  18. ^ "Daichi Kitakata Vs. Yosuke Saruta". ONE FC. October 15, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  19. ^ "Mazakazu Imanari, Hiroyuki Tetsuka added to Road to ONE 3 card". asianmma.com. August 26, 2020.
  20. ^ Stewart Fulton (September 11, 2020). "Shinya Aoki earns decision win over Kimihiro Eto at Road to ONE 3". asianmma.com.
  21. ^ Damon Martin (August 17, 2021). "Christian Lee defends lightweight title against Rae Yoon Ok to headline ONE Championship card on Sept. 24". mmafighting.com.
  22. ^ "ONE Championship: Revolution results – Rae Yoon Ok stuns Christian Lee to win title, Lee calls 'bullsh*t' on decision". MMA Junkie. September 24, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  23. ^ "【ONE】猿田洋祐、五輪レスラー相手の再起戦は「狂気が目覚めてきた。最後はフィニッシュする」ブルックス戦も狙う". efight.jp. February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  24. ^ News (February 11, 2022). "Yosuke Saruta has Covid-19, out of ONE: 'Bad Blood'". asianmma.com. Retrieved February 11, 2022. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  25. ^ "【ONE131】川原波輝が豪州ナックモエ=ウィリアムスと対戦。再戦=猿田✖バラルト、三浦は怖いソウザと". mmaplanet.jp. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  26. ^ "【ONE】猿田が元五輪戦士バラートにダウン奪われ判定負け". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  27. ^ "Saemapetch, Adiwang, Tetsuka Shine With Dominant Performances At ONE Fight Night 19". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  28. ^ "ONE Championship: Hong Kong's Yu Yau Pui looking to extend winning streak a Fight Night 24". South China Morning Post. June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  29. ^ "Anane, Mahmoudi, Pirnie Highlight ONE Fight Night 24 Supporting Card With Impressive Wins". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. August 3, 2024. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  30. ^ "修斗 2018年MVPは修斗＆ONE 2冠王・猿田洋祐。ベストバウトは内藤頌貴×小堀貴広、MIPは小巻洋平". Bout Review. January 28, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  31. ^ "日本人唯一人のONE世界王者・猿田洋祐、海外で勝つには「平常心が大事」＝2019年1月ベストファイターインタビュー". eFight. February 18, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  32. ^ "【月間ベストファイター・10月】猿田洋祐「4月のONE日本大会で再びタイトル獲る」". efight.jp. November 26, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2021.