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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Comeback Tour: After triumphant return, Lito Adiwang eyes Cuban wrestler Gustavo Balart

Comeback Tour: After triumphant return, Lito Adiwang eyes Cuban wrestler Gustavo Balart

Published Sep 27, 2023 07:07 am

At A Glance

  • It didn't take long for Lito "Thunder Kid" Adiwang to beat Adrian "Papua Badboy" Mattheis in his return fight, so he's already on the lookout for who's next. 

It didn’t take long for Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang to beat Adrian “Papua Badboy” Mattheis in his return fight, so he’s already on the lookout for who’s next. 

lito adiwang.jpg
 Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang (ONE Championship)

Adiwang had a triumphant return after finishing Mattheis via first-round TKO at ONE Friday Fights 34: Rodtang vs. Superlek inside the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sept. 22.

The Filipino is now eyeing a showdown with #4-ranked strawweight MMA fighter Gustavo Balart, who’s been on a roll in ONE Championship. 

After a string of close losses, the Cuban Olympic wrestler finally found his footing by winning his last three fights, including back-to-back victories over former ONE World Champions Yosuke Saruta and Alex Silva. 

Looking to get back in the mix of contenders, Adiwang wants the pint-sized powerhouse next. 

“I really want to challenge Gustavo Balart. I’ve been thinking about that matchup for a long time,” he said. 

“He’s a very good wrestler with wild striking. I know that would do a lot for my wrestling as well – how I’d defend, how I’d counter. My wrestling would certainly improve in this fight.” 

He also has a venue in mind. 

ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong has confirmed that ONE will head to Qatar for ONE 165 at the end of the year, and Adiwang hopes that his entertaining style will warrant him a spot in another big show for the promotion. 

After all, his entertaining style was on full display when he finished Mattheis in just 23 seconds, connecting with a beautiful straight right before pouncing on the Indonesian to finish him off for the triumphant comeback. 

“I want to fight again. I want to fight in an event like [ONE Friday Fights 34 again], a big event. This was one of the biggest cards, and I’m grateful to compete in events like this,” he said. 

“I love opening shows and setting the mood for a red-hot crowd. I’m hoping I get to join the Qatar card. I’d really love to fight there.”

Should that not happen, he’s volunteering himself to be part of one of the four cards scheduled for the United States next year. With millions of Filipinos in the U.S., and the West’s fondness of Adiwang’s in-your-face style, it makes a lot of sense. 

“There are a lot of Filipinos there, and I believe that we’re going to have a lot of supporters there,” he said.

 “That’s my target now, get big fights on big cards.” 

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