Aston Palicte set for junior bantamweight title bout vs Kazuto Ioka
MANILA, Philippines–Filipino bet Aston Palicte gets another shot at a world title as he faces former title challenger Kazuto Ioka for the vacant WBO junior bantamweight belt on June 19.
The bout is scheduled at Osaka Prefectural Gym in Japan.
Article continues after this advertisementIt will be the first world title fight to be streamed on UFC Fight Pass, according to ESPN’s Dan Rafael.
Palicte was the mandatory challenger for the belt and was due for a rematch against Donnie Nietes, but 36-year-old world champion opted to vacate the title to pursue bigger fights.
The two Filipino fighters fought to a controversial split draw last year.
Article continues after this advertisementIota is also getting another chance at the junior bantamweight belt, which he failed to capture after losing to Nietes last December.