Adiwang to show ‘technical’ side vs Japanese foe

FILE – Team Lakay’s Lito Adiwang. ONE CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Expect a different Lito Adiwang when he returns against Namiki Kawahara of Japan in ONE: Unbreakable on Friday in Singapore.

Coming off a heartbreaking loss that snapped a seven-fight winning streak, a highly-motivated Adiwang vows to be a better fighter and not make the same mistakes again.

“I think the one big thing that will change is my approach. Before, I rely more on my power and be there or go out there and smash. I can show a side that I can play with a technical side also,” said Adiwang during a press conference via Zoom on Monday.

Adiwang felt one of the reasons why he lost a close decision to Japan’s Koha Minowa in his previous bout was because he got too caught up in trying to finish the fight early.

The rising flyweight hopes that won’t be the case against Kawahara.

“Against Minowa, I went there and exhausted all my strength in the first round. I thought I can just go in and finish the fight quickly,” said Adiwang, who was originally scheduled to fight China’s Hexigetu.

“So that was like my biggest lesson. That’s where I got the idea to just play safe and technical and get the win.”

But make no mistake, Adiwang will still be his explosive self as he remains keen on putting on a show in ONE’s first event in 2021.

“I’m a fighter and a fan also. If I’m watching myself fight, I don’t want to see a boring fight. I want to be the best and the fight to be exciting to watch so that’s always been my main goal when I fight.”