FILE – Lito Adiwang of Team Lakay. Photo from ONE Championship
MANILA, Philippines–Lito Adiwang has always dreamed of making an unforgettable debut in the ONE Championship main roster.
Adiwang will finally get his opportunity in a few days.
If there is one thing that got Adiwang into the position he is in right now, it is by not wasting chances.
The newest sensation from Team Lakay battles Pancrase flyweight world champion Senzo Ikeda in the undercard of ONE: Century on 13 October at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.
“It’s really big for me to get a win in decisive fashion,” Adiwang said.
“My game plan is to knock him out, but if this goes to the ground I have no problems looking for a submission as well.”
The Baguio City native understands the importance of leaving an impression which is something he has been doing since he was picked up in ONE Warrior Series.
Always wanting to turn heads, Adiwang showcased one impressive performance after another in the developmental league, and his string of dominant matches did not go unnoticed as he was offered with a lucrative six-figure contract after his win over Anthony Do in August.
Entering the next level of his career, the 26-year-old vows he is ready for the challenges ahead.
“You won’t ever get a chance like this again. You only have one chance to leave an impression on the biggest event in ONE history,” Adiwang said.
“Being a part of the main roster is the culmination of all the hardships that I went through. But I won’t stop. Now I am ready for the next chapter of my career.”
Understanding there will be no easy bouts from this point on, Adiwang is working double-time to fix holes in his game that could be exploited by the battle-tested Japanese athlete.
If there is one thing Ikeda will bring to the ring, it is his readiness wherever this match goes.
“This is the best test for me. Challenging a great athlete in his hometown – this is where I’ll find out on how much I’ve grown as an athlete,” Adiwang, who is one of four Team Lakay fighters competing at ONE: Century, said.
“I expect him to go toe-to-toe with me in striking, and then I’ll see. If I have problems with him standing, then maybe I could take him down. That’s why I need to be ready.”