Team Lakay fighter Lito Adiwang. Photo from ONE Championship
MANILA, Philippines—Lito Adiwang may be unranked in ONE Championship’s strawweight division but he’s proven his worth through his offense-first style that made him a must-watch in the promotion.
Holding a 12-3 record and seven wins in his past eight matches, Adiwang is knocking at the doors of the 125-pound elite but he would also like to take on flyweight Muay Thai champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
Adiwang, whose last seven wins included six stoppages, shares a fighting style similar to Jitmuangnon’s and that is to keep the match as fast-paced as possible and as entertaining as it can be.
Though he is a mixed martial artist by trade, Adiwang said he’s ready to abide by Muay Thai rules as his base is already a striking discipline in wushu.
“We have to approach this fight based on Muay Thai rules because I came from MMA and in MMA the instinct is to shoot for a takedown when you get in a clinch,” said Adiwang in Filipino. “In Muay Thai you have to use your knees and elbows.”
“Striking is also a bit different because in MMA the stance is a bit wide so I have to tighten my range in Muay Thai.”
Adiwang, who knocked out Namiki Kawahara in his previous bout, said he’s not after Jitmuangnon’s title and that the prospect of fighting a striking superstar is what he’s really after.
Yet if ONE Chairman Chatri Sityodtong tells them that their crossover bout is for the title then he will gladly accept the chief’s orders.
“I’m not really after the title. I love this sport and my passion is in testing my skills,” said Adiwang. “But if Chatri tells us that it will be a title fight then I’ll accept it. The title will be a bonus for me.”