It will be a critical clash in the strawweight division when third-ranked Hiroba Minowa takes on second-ranked Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane at ONE 159: De Ridder vs. Bigdash on July 22 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
One guy that will have his eyes glued to the screen for that match is strawweight star-in-recovery Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang, and it’s no surprise considering his vested interest in this clash.
Asked to call this match, the Filipino is giving the edge to the South African wrestling powerhouse.
“I was excited to see the ONE 159 fight card because there’s a really great matchup between Bokang and Minowa. It’s a great fight because both are well-rounded, but I’m giving the edge to Bokang for this one,” Adiwang said.
“He has better wrestling than Minowa, and I see that as the key to victory here. He can defend the takedown and submission attacks of Minowa and use his wrestling skills to control Minowa in the clinch and on the ground.”
While his mind is saying one thing, his heart is wishing for another.
Adiwang has unfinished business with Minowa after their controversial meeting the last time out, which resulted in the Japanese man taking a hard-earned but hotly contested split-decision win.
The 29-year-old also felt that Minowa tapped in the match, although it was something the latter denied.
Adiwang has been asking for a rematch ever since, and that’s why he’ll be rooting for Minowa to win his clash against Masunyane.
“I saw how improved his striking skills, and he can use that to out-point Minowa. But, on the other hand, I am hoping that Minowa will win and build his name so that we’ll have a better build-up for a potential rematch in the coming years,” Adiwang said.
“If given a chance to face one of them, I want to face the winner of their match, and I’m really hoping that Minowa will win this one so that we will dance one more time, and I can clear my record – especially since he got a controversial win over me.”
Read More From ONE Championship:
‘He’s Predictable’ – Reinier De Ridder Expects To Dominate World Title Challenger Vitaly Bigdash
‘He’s A Disrespectful Guy’ – John Lineker Would Love To ‘Educate’ Fabricio Andrade
‘In A Heartbeat’ – Aung La N Sang Would Love To Fight Reinier De Ridder, Vitaly Bigdash Again