Lakay’s Adiwang ready to restart ONE win streak against grappling pro

It’s the calm before a new storm for Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang.

Following a stunning split decision loss to Hiroshi Minowa at ONE: Inside the Matrix 3, Adiwang (12-3) is dead set on controlling his emotions in the ring once he faces American Jarred Brooks (16-2) at ONE on TNT this Thursday, April 8.

“I need to be more focused and smart in this fight. We know Jarred Brooks is the No. 1 strawweight in the world,” said the Team Lakay stalwart in a recent online press conference.

“I need to be focused on this fight, and [commit] less mistakes. Take a more calculated approach, and not be wild.”

Fight fans saw a glimpse of this new mindset in Adiwang’s last match, where he knocked out Namiki Kawahara after two rounds of controlling the striking pace.

“Galing ako sa loss then last ay nanalo, so parang naalisan ako ng tinik,” he said of his first win after his seven-match win streak got snapped. “Ang pagkaalis nun gives me more motivation para manalo ulit.”

(I was coming off a loss, then I won this last bout, so it’s like a thorn was taken out of me. That gives me more motivation to win again.)

Apart from trying to keep his cool, Adiwang will head into his next match with a tweaked game plan as Brooks is a well-known submission specialist with 5 choke stoppages to his name already.

“Tingin ko sa laban na ‘to, expected na magiging barn burner, kasi yung fight style niya is medyo pampapagod na laban kasi wrestler,” he said. 

(I think this fight will be an expected barn burner since his fight style as a wrestler can tire foes out.)

“’Yung takedown defense at ‘yung mga escape ko sa mga ground controls niya, ‘yun ‘yung mga nakikita kong kailangan kong hasain dito. Once na ma-stop ko ‘yun, I think I have all the advantages,” he continued.

(I have to hone my takedown defense and my escape moves from his ground control. Once I stop that, I have all the advantages.) – Rappler.com