5 Things You Might Not Know About Lito Adiwang

Lito Adiwang enters the spotlight of the grand stage of One Championship with renewed vigor. A part of it can be attributed to the feeling of returning to old stomping grounds following the most challenging period of his career, marked by back-to-back losses and a serious knee injury. Some might even argue that the newfound fervor was hammered out when he relocated from the Philippines to Indonesia’s iconic SOMA Fight Club. “Thunder Kid” returns to action on Feb. 16 against Danial Williams at ONE Fight Night 19: Haggerty vs. Lobo on Prime Video with his new team by his side.

With access to a wealth of high-level training partners and the opportunity to work under the tutelage of coaches Mike Ikilei and Yousef Wehbe, Adiwang seeks to make a resounding statement as he steps in to face Williams, a master of “the art of eight limbs,” this weekend. The way he sees it, he’s mentally dialed in for the clash and has put in the grueling work to make him even hungrier for victory. Ahead of his looming battle with Williams, here are five things you might not know about Adiwang.

Student of the Art(s)

Adiwang is a voracious martial arts enthusiast. These are not words without substance but Adiwang's quest for combat sports excellence in a nutshell. Take a quick glimpse at his journey or his achievements and the notion will spring to life.

Adiwang's childhood was fraught with challenges, growing up in a rural region of the Philippines, and his parents struggled to make ends meet. From a very young age, he had to shoulder the weight of helping to support the family financially.

He crossed the Rubicon by taking his first steps in a combat sports atmosphere with boxing but was soon intrigued by the prospect of pursuing martial arts in greater depth. He has competed extensively in boxing, jiu-jitsu, muay thai and wushu sanda over the years, won several regional medals, and even scaled new heights by becoming a national champion in wushu.

Pacquiao's Example Put Him on the Path

Manny Pacquiao’s illustrious career as an eight-division world boxing champion breathed life into the dreams of a generation of Filipino boys, and it was no different for Adiwang. In his iconic countryman, “Thunder Kid” saw a fighter born in the cruel clutches of adversity, who rose to shine on the grand stage of the pugilistic world with his fists.

Young Adiwang would tune in to watch “PacMan” compete each time, even before he went to school. Those performances are locked in the vault of his mind, and he wears the borrowed inspiration of yesteryear's recollection like armor every time he steps to fight. For him, delivering a finish or an entertaining fight remains the prime objective, just as it was for his idol Pacquiao.

MMA Journey

The Filipino began his professional mixed martial arts journey in 2012. He prevailed against six of his first eight opponents to earn a spot in Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series. Adiwang went on to bag three more impressive victories on the show, which earned him the main roster spot with One Championship in 2019.

Inspired by Jonathan Haggerty’s impressive comeback

Inspiration can be gleaned from unexpected quarters. Adiwang has always been receptive to new ideas, but he’s willing to go the extra mile to seek inspiration from his fellow fighters. ONE bantamweight muay thai and kickboxing world champion Jonathan Haggerty’s comeback story has affected him. Despite the devastating setback against Rodtang Jitmuangnon, in which he lost the flyweight Muay Thai crown, Haggerty remained resilient in reclaiming his footing. He endured a tumultuous journey and eventually laid hands on the ONE bantamweight muay thai world title in April 2023, courtesy of an iconic upset victory over Nong-O Gaiyanghadao. This, in Adiwang’s opinion, is impressive and a source of inspiration.

In Memory of His Mother

In recent times, Adiwang’s fights and performances have been driven by a higher calling. Adiwang battled through the heartbreaking loss of his mother and delivered his finest performance to date just a few weeks after her death against Japanese warrior Namiki Kawahara at One "Unbreakable." With the memory of his mother’s struggles burning brightly in him, he has embarked on a path of self-discovery and purpose and this weekend’s clash will be no different. In his words:

“There is nothing a mother wants more than to see her child happy and successful. I know my mother loved me so much, and she just really didn’t want me to get hurt, which is why she didn’t fully accept me being a fighter with her whole heart.”

“But I chose this career, and I believe she was happy to see me succeed in what I love to do. I know in my heart she is proud of me, and I will continue to live my life in her honor.”