Jeremy Miado came away with a bittersweet feeling after defeating fellow Filipino fighter Lito Adiwang at ONE X on Saturday, March 26.
The action was starting to pick up in the second round, but as Miado pressed forward, Adiwang stepped back and began to limp with a knee injury. Referee Olivier Coste halted the match and awarded a TKO to the Marrok Force representative.
“The Jaguar” said his team had prepared for a stoppage victory, although the result wasn’t what they had in mind.
“I’m not really happy with [what happened] to him and how this fight ended with his injury. But I know I can win, I can knock him out. Our game plan is to knock him out in the second or third, but that’s what happened,” he said.
“I’m sad for him. Sure I’m happy I won the fight, but I’m sad because of what happened to him.”
The first stanza saw little action from Miado, as he looked for his range and timing while weathering his countryman’s early onslaught of wild hooks and kicks.
In the second frame, he turned up his aggressiveness before the injury ended the bout abruptly.
Reacting to questions about his slow start, the Bangkok-trained fighter said he wanted to be cautious early on.
“We know Lito Adiwang is very explosive in the first round. So it’s wrong for me to battle him in the first round because he’s so explosive and strong. I felt his power, too,” Miado shared.
“So I played it smart. I don’t want to bang with him in the first round. Maybe in the second round or third round and get the knockout.”
If the way he won has left fight fans dissatisfied, Miado said he’s willing to take on Adiwang again.
“No problem for me. If they want a rematch, I’ll give them a rematch,” he added.
“Whatever ONE Championship wants, just give me another opportunity to prepare, and I’ll train hard for that.”