By Jan Carlo Anolin
Team Lakay’s Lito Adiwang is ready to take on the top contenders in the strawweight division of ONE Championship.
Team Lakay's Lito Adiwang celebrates after submitting Thai foe Pongsiri Mitsatit in ONE: Fire & Fury at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, January 31, 2020. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio)
“I’ll just try to train hard and be better,” said Adiwang, who submitted Thai foe Pongsiri Mitsatit last Friday night in ONE: Fire & Fury. “So paghahandaan ko kung sino man ang ibibigay.”
Adiwang singled out former two-time strawweight champion Yoshitaka Naito of Japan, however.
The 35-year-old Naito, known for his grappling skills, defeated Mitsatit last November via unanimous decision.
It can be recalled though that Joshua Pacio, the current champion and Adiwang’s teammate, bested Naito in five rounds during their second meeting for the belt last September 2018.
“Now that would be a great challenge,” Adiwang said of Naito.
Adiwang rides a five-game win streak in the promotion, two by TKOs, a unanimous decision, a KO in his 2018 debut and the latest via submission.
In the recent fight, Adiwang caught Mitsatit in the second attempt and locked in for a kimura finish at the 3:02 mark of the first round.
The 26-year-old fight from Benguet wowed the Manila crowd by showing his signature fighting style, highlighted by a right leg kick that sent Mitsatit to the mat.
“We had a tough training camp. But I’m happy I was able to go out there and perform. I wanted to give the Filipino fans a good show,” said Adiwang, who fought for the first time hometown in ONE.