Team Lakay’s Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang had a stunning main roster debut at ONE: CENTURY last Sunday, 13 October.
In the first part of ONE Championship’s 100th event, the Filipino rising star dominated Senzo Ikeda of Japan, earning a superb first-round technical decision win inside the legendary Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.
This was Adiwang’s first impressive win under the ONE Championship stacked strawweight roster, after a stellar ONE Warrior Series campaign. But more importantly, the win was the perfect way for the Filipino star to show the world that he deserves to be part of the largest martial arts organization on the planet.
“I’m very happy with my performance. It’s very important to win cause there’s pressure at that time, being the first athlete to compete. There are a lot of expectations from me and I made sure to give it all in that fight,” Adiwang said.
“Just like what I’ve said before, I’m really determined to win that match against Ikeda. I really need that win, especially since it’s on the biggest card of ONE. I want to prove that I belong here.”
Known for his striking, Adiwang showed off a different facet of his game as he scored an early takedown and immediately executed a scarf-hold armlock. The bout was stopped just moments later after Ikeda suffered an injury to his arm, giving the stoppage win to Adiwang.
“I was reading his tactics because I know he was ready to counter my strikes,” Adiwang shared.
“I was looking at how he’ll react with what I’ll do. He shot for a takedown and thankfully, I got the submission. I kept on telling the referees that his arm is broken, but Senzo was saying ‘no’ that’s why it took long.”
The Baguio City native, however, was left in awe with how his 37-year-old opponent never gave in.
“He was really a warrior, his fighting spirit is something else,” Adiwang stated.
“But that’s what I expected from him. I need to put him to sleep or either break something [in order to win].”
Excited about his performance, the 26-year-old Baguio City native believes he has much more to show fans when the next opportunity arrives.
The Team Lakay representative announced his arrival at The Home Of Martial Arts in style and shared that he is ready for the next set of assignments that he will be facing in the future.
“You will always see an improving version of the “Thunder Kid” each time I fight. I am aiming to get another impressive victory so I can work my way to the top and fulfill my dream to become a World Champion,” Adiwang shared.
“My message to the division is there’s a new kid in town. The hype is real.”
Fight Game Asia 