FILE – Lito Adiwang of Team Lakay. Photo from ONE Championship
MANILA, Philippines—The last time Lito Adiwang fought in the Philippines was in late 2013, and it took the turn of decade for him to once again have a match on his home soil.
Adiwang got his wish granted since signing with ONE Championship, featurng in his first Philippine fight since then when he takes on Pongsiri Mitsatit at ONE: Fire and Fury on Jan. 31 at Mall of Asia Arena.
“I am really happy for this match, I was asking for this since last year and luckily for me they heard my request and I am here in the first Manila card,” said Adiwang.
“Other than the opportunity to compete in front of my fellow Filipinos, I am excited to show how much I have improved since the last time I fought.”
Adiwang’s last fought in the Philippines when he was still with the Universal Reality Combat Championship.
The 26-year-old Adiwang (10-2) has won all four of his fights in ONE for six-bout victory stretch, ending in a technical knockout win over Senzo Ikeda in Century on Oct. 12, 2019.
“In every fight, I want to make sure I give out my best. I want people to remember my name, to remember me as an athlete who brings energy and excitement,” said Adiwang, who fights in the strawweight division. “I want people to tune in every time I compete.”
“That type of mindset is the main reason for my recent victories and I will definitely show it in my next fights. I hope to continue winning so I can continue inching closer to my dream World title shot.”
Despite his lengthy unbeaten run, Adiwang doesn’t discount the danger that Mitsatit (10-2), a Northern Muay Thai Champion in Thailand, brings.
“Mitsatit is a young and hungry fighter, I respect him, he’s a good fighter and a strong striker and it’s something that I am really preparing for,” said Adiwang. “I expect a striking match against him.”