That rod reflects 2 changes that were done to the FA180 rods I have purchased in recent times. The slot cut into the bottom was employed in a rod I purchased in the last last year or so. The groove cut into the crank web face was added to a rod that I purchased just a few months ago. The OEM FA180 rod from an engine I purchased back in '98 when they 1st came out was made like the one that failed in your friend's FA125.

The FA450R3 master rod I recently purchased also had the web face groove treatment while the one it replaced did not.

I suspect that Saito has done this to most of their engines to improve crank journal lubrication.

It will work in your FA125 & will probably eliminate the problems your club member experienced.