“I’m Going for Gustavo Now” – Lito Adiwang Targeting Gustavo Balart Before He Looks for World Title Shot

Lito Adiwang continued his road back to glory in ONE Championship by scoring his second win in a row this past weekend. And now, he’s looking to move further up the promotion’s stacked strawweight MMA rankings. But will he be able to keep grueling through the ranks?

In the opening match of ONE Fight Night 16 on Friday, November 3, “Thunder Kid” avenged the devastating loss he suffered at the hands of his Filipino compatriot Jeremy Miado in March 2022 with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Lito Adiwang has put in all the work

It was a long road back to redemption for Adiwang, who suffered a torn ACL during his first meeting with “The Jaguar” at ONE X, which led to the strawweight standout claiming a TKO win in the second round. During his 18 months on the sidelines, he was part of the exodus of fighters that parted ways with the famed Filipino stable, Team Lakay. But instead of joining his brothers in their newly formed Lions Nation MMA gym, Adiwang chose to carve his own path and joined Soma Fight Club in Bali, Indonesia.

The move yielded instant results for the 30-year-old, as he won his comeback fight against Adrian Mattheis at ONE Friday Fights 34 in September in less than 30 seconds. Now, with back-to-back wins under his belt, “Thunder Kid” is convinced that moving to the new gym was a good decision, as it has helped him unleash the best version of himself and given him World Title aspirations.

“I think I am ready for the belt. I just need to get back – get better. I have done the sacrifice. I have moved out from the Philippines [and] went out to Bali. I got all that I needed. I got all the coaches that I needed, the training partners, and everything. So I think it was just proper preparation. I’m all already there,” he told SCMP MMA.

“I know I got something more in me, but it’s just like I cannot bring it out in my last fight. But now, I have a solid team who is bringing out the best in me. So we just try to sharpen that out, and I think it has shown in these two fights that I got something more. Not just in striking, but even in striking, I think I’m more polished.”

Can Adiwang get ahead in his ranks?

With current #5-ranked strawweight contender Mansur Malachiev suffering a loss to former strawweight MMA king Joshua Pacio at ONE Fight Night 15 last month, Adiwang believes there is a chance he could snag the Russian’s spot in the rankings after his win against Miado. 

Also Read: “A Lot of What-Ifs From That Fight” – Lito Adiwang Is Looking Forward to Resolving Unfinished Business With Jeremy Miado

Reigning titleholder Jarred Brooks already has wins over #2-ranked Bokang Masunyane and #3-ranked Hiroba Minowa, leaving #4-ranked Gustavo Balart as a likely prospect for “The Monkey God” to target if he defeats Pacio in their much-rumored rematch. As such, “Thunder Kid” has the Cuban wrestling star in his sights. And if he can find a third win there, he has his grand design to shoot his shot at the stacked weight bracket’s crown after.

“I’m really aiming for Gustavo, yeah. If there’s anyone, I’m going for Gustavo now. So if Gustavo wants it, I’m ready for it,” he said.  “Let’s get that done because I know Joshua and the champ is next in line, so I think whoever wins there and whoever wins with me and Gustavo. Let’s do it.”

Also Read: “I Need to Be More Active” – Lito Adiwang Offers His Preview of How His Rematch With Jeremy Miado Will Go Down