Alex Silva (left)- Yoshitaka Naito (Courtesy of ONE Championship)

Brazilian mixed martial artist Alex Silva, the ONE Strawweight World Champion, is set to fight against Yoshitaka Naito of Japan in the ONE: Grit and Glory showdown in Jakarta on Saturday.

Silva, nicknamed Little Rock, is a third-degree black belt and Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion known for his relentless pursuit of submission finishes. He is a technical grappling specialist with a penchant for securing highlight-reel submissions. Five of Silva’s last six victories ended in this fashion, including his defeat of former champion Naito to nail the strawweight title.

Ahead of the weekend battle at the Jakarta Convention Center, Silva declared his readiness to return to action, defending the belt against a familiar face.

“I am always looking for a spectacular finish, no matter where the bout ends up — whether on the feet or on the ground. I really feel like I can beat Naito again, no doubt. If it takes one round or five, I’m ready,” Silva of Sao Paulo said in a statement.

Naito, who hails from Matsudo, has a professional record of 12-1. He has achieved six victories by submission and one by knockout. Naito made a name for himself at Japan’s world famous Korakuen Hall competing for Shooto as its flyweight champion, and captured the ONE Strawweight World Championship by submitting Thailand’s Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in his ONE promotional debut in 2016.

“I could not do what I wanted to do in the cage [in the first match against Silva]. This time, things will be different,” said Naito.

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