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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider 'I'm targeting that belt' – Lito Adiwang fires warning shots at strawweight top contenders

'I'm targeting that belt' – Lito Adiwang fires warning shots at strawweight top contenders

Published Jan 10, 2024 07:43 am

At A Glance

  • Lito "Thunder Kid" Adiwang wants all comers as he looks to pick up from his brilliant end to 2023.

Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang wants all comers as he looks to pick up from his brilliant end to 2023.

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Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang (ONE Championship)

The Filipino heavy hitter aims to get back to strawweight MMA contendership, so he’s keeping a close eye on the division’s top athletes.

Third-ranked strawweight contender Hiroba Minowa and no. 4-ranked Gustavo Balart will tangle at ONE 165 on Jan. 28 inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, and Adiwang wants the winner.

“When Balart and Minowa were announced, I was shocked because I wanted them both. I wanted to either fight Balart or rematch Minowa, but there they were fighting,” he said.

“I’m excited to see the fight, that’s a very good matchup. We’ll see who ends up winning. I want to fight the winner.”

If that isn’t possible, then Adiwang will pivot to a fight between him and #5-ranked Mansur Malachiev.

Malachiev is coming off a close loss to former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio, and Adiwang believes that with their position in the division closing in, it would be high time for them to revisit their postponed match.

Adiwang was supposed to welcome Malachiev to ONE Championship in January of last year, but “Thunder Kid” aggravated his knee, forcing him out of the fight against the Russian.

Fully healthy now, a match against Malachiev is something that makes sense for Adiwang.

“If it’s not them, I want to face Mansur. I think he’s a good matchup. We were supposed to meet before, and now’s the perfect time to pick up on it,” he said.

“He’s also a ranked fighter, so it’s a perfect opportunity for me because I want to get back to the rankings. I am targeting that belt, so Mansur is the perfect challenge for me.”

While he’s not promising to go all the way this year, Adiwang is dedicating his time to getting better, so fans can expect to see him at his best each time he steps into the Circle.

“I’m gonna give it my all. I’m moving to Bali. I’ve decided to stay there and really represent Soma [Fight Club]. I’ll be camping with them, I’ll be training with them. All my preparation will be with them,” he said.

“I can’t promise a championship, but what I can promise is everytime I fight, I’ll be giving my all. Fans can also expect me to not just chase victories, but look to entertain as well.”

Related Tags

Lito Adiwang ONE Championship
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