Hayato Suzuki Submits Pongsiri Mitsatit, Eyes Bout With Joshua Pacio

Hayato Suzuki is one step closer to challenging for the ONE Strawweight World Championship.

On Saturday, 17 November, the Japanese grappling sensation submitted Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit in the first round of their strawweight clash at ONE: WARRIOR’S DREAM.

The 32-year-old submitted the Thai with a rear-naked choke in front of a capacity crowd at the Stadium Istora in Jakarta, Indonesia.

As soon as the opening bell rang, Suzuki used his world-class wrestling to nullify his opponent’s elite striking.

The Japanese competitor quickly shot in for a single-leg takedown. Although the Northern Thailand Muay Thai Champion tried his best to defend, the master grappler kicked out “The Smiling Assassin’s” other leg and put him firmly on the canvas.

He quickly advanced his position, took Mitsatit’s back, put in his hooks, and proceeded to work his magic.

Suzuki looked to send a message to ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio, a man he previously defeated, by attempting to secure “The Passion Lock” — the same submission hold the Filipino used to give Mitsatit his first professional loss.

“The Smiling Assassin” initially did well to defend the armlock, but he inevitably left his neck exposed, and Suzuki locked in the rear-naked choke.

“The Smiling Assassin” could not withstand the pressure, and was forced to submit at 2:09 of round one.

In his post-bout interview with Mitch Chilson, Suzuki acknowledged he was trying to use his former rival’s signature move to submit Mitsatit.

“I was going for ‘The Passion Lock.’ He defended his wrists well, but his neck was empty, so I just went for the choke,” the Japanese athlete confessed.

With the victory, Suzuki pushes his record to 20-1-2, and he might have done enough to get his desired World Title bout with Pacio.