FILE – Lito Adiwang of Team Lakay. Photo from ONE Championship
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino Lito Adiwang looks to continue his winning ways against Pongsiri Mitsatit of Thailand in ONE: Fire & Fury on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Adiwang, the up-and-coming Team Lakay warrior, has won his last six fights and he hopes to keep his momentum against a struggling yet dangerous Mitsatit.
“I feel confident heading into this match up. I love Pongsiri’s style. He’s an exciting fighter,” Adiwang said. “It just gives me more motivation and confidence knowing I am up against a good challenge.”
After starting his ONE Championship campaign at 3-0, Mitsatit has dropped four of his last five fights, including a unanimous decision loss to Yoshitaka Naito two months ago in Manila.
The 26-year-old Adiwang feels pretty good about his chances, though, that doesn’t mean he’s taking his opponent lightly.
“Pongsiri is a great striker. He is good in the clinch and he has powerful knees. I know his Muay Thai will be exceptional, but I think I see weakness in his ground game,” he said.
“I am heading into this fight full of confidence. I know I am going to win. That is my mindset right now. The only thing left to do is perform to the best of my abilities. Then, I will claim victory.”
Adiwang is drawing extra motivation from his teammates who are also appearing in the event as well as the thought of showcasing his talents in front of a hometown crowd something which he hasn’t been able to do since 2013.
“This is my first fight in Manila with ONE Championship, so naturally, I am really excited to fight in front of my countrymen. Filipino fans are the best in the world, and I cannot wait to bring the heat,” he said.
“I want to win this fight in an impressive way. I want the finish, whichever way it comes – on the feet or on the ground.”
Five other Filipinos, including Team Lakay stars Joshua Pacio, Eduard Folayang and Danny Kingad, are slated to fight in the card.
Pacio is defending his strawweight world title against Alex Silva of Brazil in the main event.
In the penultimate bout, Folayang, a two-time lightweight champion, takes on Pieter Buist of the Netherlands. Danny Kingad, meanwhile, battles Xie Wei of China in a flyweight encounter.
“The fact that my teammates are also on the card with me, it is even more special.”
Female fighters Jomary Torres of Catalan Fighting System and Gina Iniong of Team Lakay are also part of the card.