Yosuke Saruta

Yosuke Saruta (猿田 洋祐, Saruta Yōsuke, born July 8, 1987), nicknamed "Tobizaru No. 2", is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He is a former ONE Strawweight Champion and former Shooto World Flyweight (114lbs) Champion.[4][5] He is considered one of the greatest strawweights in mixed martial arts history by Fight Matrix.[6]

Yosuke Saruta
BornYosuke Saruta
(1987-07-08) July 8, 1987
Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
Native name猿田洋祐
Nickname(s)Tobizaru No. 2[1]
ResidenceSaitama, Japan
NationalityJapanese[2]
Height5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Weight115 lb (52.2 kg; 8.2 st)
DivisionFlyweight (2008–2016)
Strawweight (2016–present)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofTokyo, Japan
TeamReversal Gym Kawaguchi REDIPS (2008–2014)
Wajutsu Keishukai Hearts[3] (2014–present)
Years active2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total33
Wins21
By knockout6
By submission2
By decision13
Losses9
By knockout6
By decision3
Draws3
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

He is currently the #5 contender in Shooto flyweight rankings as of April 25, 2020,[7] and the #1 contender in the ONE Championship strawweight rankings, as of April 27, 2020.[8]

Personal life

Saruta was born in Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan. Saruta was active in extracurricular activities in his youth, but had a focus on gymnastics. He wanted to be an Olympic athlete for his country of Japan, but would not realize that goal. When he was 18, Saruta saw Norifumi “KID” Yamamoto on television and decided to begin training in mixed martial arts.[9][10]

He is married.[11]

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.[12]

On August 9, 2009, Saruta got his first professional victory over Takahiro Kohori at Shooto: Gig Saitama 1 by first-round TKO.[13]

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.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16] Following that, he achieved a decision win over Kiyotaka Shimizu and defended his title against Itchaku Murata, winning by way of TKO.

ONE Championship

On December 7, 2018, Saruta made his ONE Championship debut against former strawweight champion, Alex Silva. He won by unanimous decision.[17]

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.[18]

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.[19]

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.[20]

Saruta next faced Yoshitaka Naito at Road to One 3: Tokyo Fight Night on September 10, 2020.[21] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[22]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
33 matches 21 wins 9 losses
By knockout 6 6
By submission 2 0
By decision 13 3
Draws 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 21–9–3 Yoshitaka Naito Decision (unanimous) Road to ONE 3: Tokyo Fight Night September 10, 2020 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 20–9–3 Daichi Kitakata KO (Punches) ONE Championship: Century October 13, 2019 2 0:59 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 19–9–3 Joshua Pacio KO (Head Kick) ONE Championship: Roots of Honor April 12, 2019 4 2:43 Pasay City, Philippines Lost the ONE Strawweight Championship.
Win 19–8–3 Joshua Pacio Decision (Split) ONE Championship: Eternal Glory January 19, 2019 5 5:00 Jakarta, Indonesia Won the ONE Strawweight Championship.
Win 18–8–3 Alex Silva Decision (unanimous) ONE Championship: Destiny of Champions December 7, 2018 3 5:00 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Loss 17–8–3 Takumi Tamaru TKO (Doctor Stoppage) Shooto: Shooto Professional 7/15 July 15, 2018 3 3:49 Tokyo, Japan
Win 17–7–3 Itchaku Murata KO (Punches) Shooto: Shooto Professional 5/13 May 13, 2018 3 0:45 Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan Defended Shooto World Flyweight (114lbs) Championship
Win 16–7–3 Kiyotaka Shimizu Decision (Unanimous) Shooto: Shooto Professional 1/28 January 28, 2018 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 15–7–3 Ryuto Sawada KO (Punches) Shooto: Shooto Professional10/15 October 15, 2017 4 2:37 Urayasu, Chiba, Japan Won Shooto World Flyweight (114lbs) Championship
Win 14–7–3 Koha Minowa Decision (Unanimous) Shooto: Shooto Professional 4/23 April 23, 2017 3 5:00 Urayasu, Chiba, Japan
Draw 13–7–3 Junji Ito Draw (Majority) Shooto: Shooto Professional 1/29 January 29, 2017 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 13–7–2 Luis Gonzalez Decision (Unanimous) Shooto: Shooto Professional 7/17 July 17, 2016 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 12–7–2 Teppei Maeyama Decision (Unanimous) Shooto: Shooto Professional 3/21 March 21, 2016 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 11–7–2 Hiroshi Roppongi KO (Punch) Shooto: Shooto Professional 1/11 January 11, 2016 2 0:18 Tokyo, Japan Strawweight debut
Loss 10–7–2 Hiromasa Ougikubo Decision (Unanimous) Shooto: Professional Shooto 11/29 November 29, 2015 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 10–6–2 Taku Kajikawa Decision (Unanimous) Shooto: 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) Vale Tudo Japan: 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 World Bantamweight (123lbs) Championship
Draw 7–3–2 Ryuichi Miki Draw (Split) Shooto: 3rd Round 2013 July 27, 2013 5 5:00 Tokyo, Japan For the Shooto World Bantamweight (123lbs) 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 Won the Shooto Infinity Bantamweight (132 lbs) Tournament
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, Saitama, 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. https://www.onefc.com/athletes/yosuke-saruta/// 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. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  4. Writer, Staff (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. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  6. "Yosuke Saruta". fightmatrix.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  7. "2020年04月度 世界ランキング". Shooto MMA. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  8. "ONE Championship Unveils First Official Athlete Rankings". ONE FC.com. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  9. "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.
  10. "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.
  11. "The Woman Behind Yosuke Saruta | ONE Feature". Youtube.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  12. Sherdog.com. "Shooto - Back To Our Roots 7". Sherdog. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  13. "Yosuke Saruta ("Tobizaru") | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  14. "FIGHTERS選手紹介猿田洋祐". shooto-mma.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  15. "SHOOTO 5th Round 2013 live results". asiamma.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  16. Skytte, Mike (August 11, 2019). "Four Pancrase vs. Shooto bouts added to ONE: Century show in October". The Body Lock. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  17. "ONE Championship: Destiny of Champions live results & highlights". FanSided. December 7, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  18. "ONE Championship 87 results, video highlights: Yosuke Saruta takes strawweight belt from Joshua Pacio". MMA Junkie. January 19, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  19. "WATCH: Joshua Pacio scores sensational KO, reclaims ONE title". Rappler. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  20. "Daichi Kitakata Vs. Yosuke Saruta". ONE FC. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  21. "Mazakazu Imanari, Hiroyuki Tetsuka added to Road to ONE 3 card". asianmma.com. August 26, 2020.
  22. Stewart Fulton (September 11, 2020). "Shinya Aoki earns decision win over Kimihiro Eto at Road to ONE 3". asianmma.com.
  23. "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. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  24. "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. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
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