Top ONE Championship strawweight Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang is gunning for a lightning-quick end to his next bout.
Adiwang is set to lock horns with American veteran, Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks at “ONE on TNT II,” the second of a four-part event series that broadcasts on Wed., April 14 (Thu., April 15 in Asia).
“I know what he’s about, his strengths and weaknesses. He’s a good fighter. But I don’t think he’s met a fighter quite like me in the cage.”
Taking inspiration from eight-division boxing world champion, Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, Adiwang wants to make quick work of Brooks and dispatch him in the early rounds.
“Ideally, I want to finish every opponent that I enter the Circle with,” said Adiwang.
“My childhood hero growing up was the legendary Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao in his prime had no hesitation. When he saw an opponent hurt, he would go after the finish until he got it. He is my idol. He motivated me to start this career.”
Brooks is a well-traveled veteran, having competed for promotions such as the UFC, Bellator, and Rizin. A winner of three of his last five, Brooks comes to ONE Championship with a lot of confidence.
Adiwang wants to spoil Brooks’ welcome party, and add another highlight-reel victory to his collection.
“I really believe that I can finish him. Everytime I enter the Circle, that has always been my mindset. I want to finish my opponent in any way that I can, in the most decisive way that I can, as quick as I can. It’s in and then I’m out,” said Adiwang.
“That’s the ideal scenario. That’s what I’m working towards.”
“ONE on TNT II” features a main event showdown between ONE Lightweight World Champion Christian “The Warrior” Lee and #3-ranked lightweight contender, Timofey Nastyukhin. Also on the card is a showdown between #1-ranked featherweight and former two-division ONE World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen, and challenger, #5-ranked contender “The Fighting God” Kim Jae Woong.
“I want to finish my opponent in any way that I can, in the most decisive way that I can, as quick as I can. It’s in and then I’m out.”
Adiwang vows to make his Filipino fans proud, and derail the Brooks hype train before it gains any traction off the ground.
“All I have to do is stick to the game plan, and fight to the best of my abilities,” said Adiwang.
“I know what he’s about, his strengths and weaknesses. He’s a good fighter. But I don’t think he’s met a fighter quite like me in the cage.”
The “ONE on TNT” series will air every Wednesday in the United States from April 7 for four weeks. Each week will include a preliminary card digitally streamed exclusively on the Bleacher Report App and B/R Live from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET, followed by three main card fights televised exclusively on TNT in the U.S. at 10 p.m. ET. It will be available in Asia via the usual channels.