Yosuke “The Ninja” Saruta

Former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Yosuke Saruta built the foundations of a highly successful martial arts career with gymnastics as a youth. However, he felt like he didn’t have a future in the sport and was left searching for a new challenge. 

Saruta would find his calling by chance when a mixed martial arts gym opened near his house and decided to start training. After just a year, the Japanese athlete was already stepping into the cage to compete, and he went on to have an impressive run as an amateur.

Encouraged by his success, he decided to embark on a career as a professional mixed martial artist and relocated to Tokyo to pursue his dreams full-time. However, the move was not without its obstacles, as his family didn’t approve of his new career path. Thankfully, he had the support of the love of his life, who would later become his wife. 

Spurred by her support, Saruta dedicated himself to his dreams and enjoyed a stellar run through the highly competitive Japanese scene, culminating in the Shooto Strawweight Title in 2017.

After 10 years of domestic success, Saruta finally had his chance to shine on the global stage by signing with ONE Championship, and he seized the golden opportunity. 

The Tokyo resident made an instant impact in his promotional debut, stunning former titleholder Alex Silva via unanimous decision in December 2018. Just one month later, he achieved the crowning moment of his career by dethroning Joshua Pacio to claim the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title.

Though he lost the belt to Pacio in his first World Title defense, Saruta has been campaigning to get another shot at gold, and he’s eager to prove he still has what it takes to become a two-time ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion.