ONE: Revolution saw two Team Lakay stalwarts who compete in the same division take impressive wins.
In the last match of the lead card, Lito Adiwang scored a lopsided unanimous decision win over Hexigetu to raise his slate to 13-3. It was his ninth win in his last 10 bouts.
Photo from ONEFC.com
Then in the first of three world title fights, Joshua Pacio scored a quick technical knockout win over Yosuke Saruta to keep his ONE Strawweight world title.
Photo from ONEFC.com
Yes, Pacio remains the top dog in one of ONE’s loaded weight divisions while Adiwang just climbed up the rankings.
That is why a question was needed to be answered by Adiwang after the event. Will he ever step inside the Circle against a Team Lakay brother?
“We’ll cross the bridge once we get there,” he said.
Adiwang, who is three years the elder of Pacio, said that he treats the champion as family – a brother to be exact.
That is why for now, he is willing to be Pacio’s gatekeeper, the one who will seal off any unwanted guests to his throne.
“I respect Joshua and I look at him as my younger brother,” continued Adiwang. “If it’s his time, it’s his time.
“I’m trying to screen out who is the next tough challenger. We will get to see how good that fighter is if he gets to fight me.”
Still, Adiwang is gunning for the number one contender status. But it’s for a different reason.
For him, being the number one contender will give him the power to challenge anyone he wants.
And he wants a rematch with Hiroba Minowa – the Japanese fighter who defeated him last November 13.
“If you remember, Minowa is a tough fighter. But when we fought, I believe that I gave him the chance to make his name,” said Adiwang. “It looks like I’m chasing for a rematch but I don’t want that. I believe deep inside that if I had a good mindset, I could beat him.
“Now I want to beat the number one contender, so I can get the rematch. I will make a way to get that rematch. I know deep inside that he is trying to avoid me.”
