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All through 2021, Lito “Thunder Child” Adiwang additional cemented his repute as one of the vital explosive combined martial arts fighters in ONE Championship.
In January, the Filipino knocked out Namiki Kawahara with a highlight-reel left hook. And in September, he showcased his wild placing repertoire to defeat “Wolf of the Grasslands” Hexigetu in an entertaining three-round thriller. In consequence, the 28-year-old earned the #5 contender spot in ONE’s strawweight rankings.
However even with all of that success, Adiwang gained’t enter 2022 on a scorching streak. Final month, he fell to rival Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks in the primary occasion of ONE: NEXTGEN III, because the debuting American star used his potent floor recreation to safe a second-round stoppage.
It was a disappointing setback for “Thunder Child,” however he’s decided to make use of that misfortune as gas for greater and higher issues in 2022.
On this unique interview, Adiwang talks about his heated rivalry with Brooks, who he desires to struggle subsequent, his favourite reminiscences from the previous 12 months, and rather more.
ONE Championship: You had a really large 2021. How do you are feeling the 12 months went for you?
Lito Adiwang: 2021 began good, and in a manner, it nonetheless ended good for me. Although I misplaced in my final struggle, I’m very optimistic that I’ve gained quite a bit from that loss. I discovered a giant lesson from that match, particularly relating to expertise.
I’ve lastly skilled what it’s wish to be in the primary occasion of a card, and naturally, the extent of my opponent was very excessive. These are the issues that I’ll be bringing into my subsequent fights.
ONE: Let’s speak about that struggle with Jarred Brooks. What do you are feeling went fallacious for you, and what had been your greatest takeaways?
LA: I imagine that I used to be prepared for his wrestling, I used to be truthfully ready for it, however I used to be shocked along with his strategy within the bout. I anticipated him to return in and take a look at the waters with me on the toes after which attempt to take me down.
However no, he had different plans. He determined to shoot instantly and to be trustworthy, he type of pissed off me with that. What I can take away from that’s the worth of being relaxed, calm, and staying targeted if issues don’t go as deliberate.
One ability that he has which actually impressed me was his floor management. His floor management was actually spectacular. I’ve by no means been managed like that, I’ve by no means skilled that within the health club, so it was fairly new to me. It’s one thing that I’ve to take a look at and attempt to enhance on in order that it gained’t occur once more, ought to we meet once more.
ONE: Would you say that Jarred Brooks made you a greater fighter?
LA: Sure, I imagine that Jarred Brooks made me a greater fighter. I’ve discovered quite a bit from him. I’ve additionally discovered quite a bit about myself. I came upon that irrespective of how onerous I attempt to enhance, I’ve to repeatedly double my efforts as a result of there might be higher folks on the market.
I do know for a indisputable fact that I’ve labored onerous on my wrestling, however while you examine it to somebody like him who’s been wrestling all his life and who continues to shine his abilities, then my enhancements are already mitigated.
Now, I do know the extent that I’ve to catch as much as relating to wrestling. I feel I’m alright with our submission recreation, however relating to wrestling and management, it’s one thing that I actually must work on. That’s the subsequent step that I’ve to achieve. I’ve to achieve that stage.
ONE: There have been fairly a couple of heated exchanges between you two main as much as the matchup. However is every little thing all good with you and Jarred now?
LA: It’s all good. After the struggle, I despatched him a message, I informed him congratulations and see you on prime. That was my message to him, and he replied. He informed me that he expects to see me once more, however this time, on the highest of the division.
ONE: Is your mullet nonetheless intact?
LA: Yeah, I didn’t put my mullet on the road towards him. Nicely, I used to be able to put it on the road, however then I thought of it, and I spotted I wouldn’t need to threat it as a result of plenty of my followers and followers are already sporting my similar coiffure, and I wouldn’t need to disappoint them by chopping it if I lose. That will be actually unhealthy. Good factor I didn’t threat it.
ONE: Who do you assume is subsequent for ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio? Do you assume Jarred is able to problem him for the belt?
LA: For Jarred, I feel it’s too early. I feel he must show himself extra by successful a couple of extra fights. I wouldn’t need to say that he nonetheless has quite a bit to show, however possibly he wants to realize extra followers and recognition right here in Asia.
I imagine one man who deserves to be Joshua’s challenger is Bokang [Masunyane] as a result of he has an ideal document, he’s gained two large fights in ONE already, and I feel he’s prepared for it.
ONE: What about you? Who would you like subsequent?
LA: I desire a large comeback. I nonetheless desire a large title. I need to problem Yosuke Saruta. Perhaps if ONE permits it, and he desires it, then I’ll take it. Saruta is somebody who I actually need to take a look at myself towards. It’s a giant threat for me as a result of I’m coming off a loss, however I need an important comeback and a giant title in my return so I don’t fall far off from the rankings.
ONE: So general, what’s your favourite reminiscence from 2021?
LA: My favourite reminiscence is how this pandemic actually introduced me and my household collectively. That’s one optimistic takeaway from the pandemic, that it actually introduced folks collectively. We obtained an entire lot nearer. My siblings from Japan went house due to the pandemic.
ONE: Now wanting forward, what’s your New Yr’s decision for 2022?
LA: I’ve to test my errors contained in the Circle, however I additionally must test my errors outdoors the Circle. It must be a steadiness. Generally, I neglect different private obligations and people are the issues that I’ve to work on. I’ve to steadiness issues out primarily based on final 12 months. I’ve to right this in 2022.
Learn extra: Joshua Pacio Shakes Off 2021 Pressures, Appears to be like Ahead To Massive 2022
