Lito Adiwang has competed 15 times under the ONE Championship banner since 2018, engaging in some of the organization’s most action-packed matchups.
However, despite years of steady work and consistent excitement, one opportunity has continued to elude him — a shot at a coveted world title.
The 32-year-old knockout artist from Baguio City now believes that chance could finally be within reach as he begins a new chapter in a different weight class.
After spending the bulk of his tenure as a strawweight, Adiwang elected to move up to flyweight, a decision that immediately paid dividends.
“Thunder Kid” made a strong impression in his flyweight debut at ONE Fight Night 37 last November 8, where he defeated Argentina’s Mauro Mastromarini by first-round technical knockout.
The emphatic victory not only showcased his trademark ferocity but also reflected how comfortable he felt competing without the strain of a severe weight cut.
And according to Adiwang, he finally felt like his old self again.
“I felt incredibly healthy and well-conditioned. Considering I took the fight on short notice, everything still felt close to perfect. It shows that I’m tailor-made for this division,” he told this article’s author in an exclusive interview.
His performance at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, effectively dispelled doubts about whether he could thrive at 135 pounds.
Yet Adiwang understands that one win, regardless of how dominant, does not guarantee upward momentum in one of ONE’s most competitive divisions.
He remains aware that every athlete in the bracket poses a serious challenge.
“There are still things to work on. We always have to look for ways to improve if we want to go far. I passed my first test at flyweight, and now I’m excited for the next one. I’m ready,” Adiwang said.
When asked about his next step, Adiwang expressed his willingness to face anyone ONE assigns to him.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that one name stands out above the rest — reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya Wakamatsu.
“I’m willing to face anyone at flyweight. But if they give me Yuya and it’s for the title, why not? He’s faced almost everyone in the division, and that matchup is exciting,” he stated.
Adiwang believes a duel with Wakamatsu has the potential to deliver an instant classic, as it would pit two explosive strikers against each other.
“We’re both strikers who hunt for the knockout. I want to test myself against the best, and right now, Yuya is the best at flyweight. The goal is to rack up wins and earn that title shot against the champion,” he expressed.
Wakamatsu has built a 3–1 record against Filipino mixed martial artists, earning victories over Geje Eustaquio, Danny Kingad, and most recently Joshua Pacio, with his only loss to a Filipino coming in his first encounter with Kingad in 2018.
Adiwang hopes to alter that narrative one day, but he recognizes that he must prove himself within the division before earning the right to vie for the intricately crafted belt.
With ONE 175 scheduled to take place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on April 29, 2026, he suggested that if the promotion is seeking a compelling showdown for the event, it knows exactly whom to call.
“Me against him would be a barnburner. I think it would be perfect for Tokyo in 2026. But if they offer me Yuya next year, I’ll take it,” he declared.
