Finally putting his past behind, Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang is targeting a much awaited return to contender status in the ONE Athlete Rankings.
This early, he already has someone in mind for his possible next fight: Gustavo “El Gladiator” Balart.
“I’ve been asking for Balart. Gusto ko talaga yung matchup namin and I want to test myself against him din,” he said after scoring a unanimous decision victory over Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado at ONE Fight Night 16: Haggerty vs. Andrade.
Adiwang has been vocal in his desire to square up against the Cuban wrestler, knowing that a chance to face off against someone like Balart would give him a gauge on how good his grappling game has gone since training in multiple gyms.
And it’s by design as he acknowledges that he has to be at his best in all facets of his game if he wants to be a legitimate contender to reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks.
“Magiging magandang preparation yun para sa akin going to a possible Brooks fight. [Balart is a] wrestler, maganda ang ground niya, and ma-challenge ako to work on my wrestling,” said the Soma Fight Club bet.
To rematch Brooks and fight for the crown is Adiwang’s ultimate goal as he sees the belt as his final destination and a fitting finish line to his redemption drive.
“Talagang yun ang hinahangad ko ngayon, na makalaban para sa belt,” he said. “This is my second version so I’ll give my best to reach that and become a champion.”