In a bout built by trashtalk, it was Jarred Brooks who had the last laugh over Lito Adiwang.
Adiwang succumbed to Brooks’ arm triangle choke in the second round of their main event bout on ONE: Next Gen III that aired Friday evening and was held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
“This is not my night again. It’s a learning experience,” said Adiwang.
Adding fuel to this bout was that it was supposed to take place back on ONE on TNT II last April but had to be scrapped when Team Lakay experienced a COVID-19 outbreak.
Brooks, a decorated wrestler during his high school career in Indiana, displayed his pedigree early in his ONE debut, immediately taking down Adiwang.
Adiwang was able to get back up with just 40 seconds left in the opening round and landed a kick and an uppercut — his cleanest shots of the bout.
Come the second round, Brooks successfully landed a double leg takedown. Adiwang showed his might by carrying Brooks to get back up but a standing guillotine attempt by the American led him to gain his balance in the standup.
With 2:26 left, an accidental low blow by Adiwang called for a momentary stoppage to the bout. The Team Lakay standout though was hit by a knee that cut him open.
During the restart, Brooks went for a fireman’s carry takedown, got into mount, before sliding an arm triangle choke. It resulted in a tap out with 3:07 left in the round.
“I knew he was tired but that was his last move. I got caught but still, I lost,” said Adiwang.
“I learned to just push it. I know that he was about to get tired. After the guillotine, I knew he was tired. I almost had it man.”
Brooks went up to 17-2-1 while dropping the fifth-ranked Adiwang to 13-4.
“Pinch me man. I feel like I’m dreaming,” said Brooks. “Much respect to Lito. I have been watching him, I was following him and I had to unfollow him because he might think I’m a fan.”
With the win, Brooks hopes to have sent a statement to ONE’s strawweight division — including reigning champion and Adiwang’s good friend Joshua Pacio.
“I think [Hiroba] Minowa is up for me next. It’s been two fights since we should have fought,” said Brooks.
“Joshua Pacio should also be put on notice and the rest of the division. I think I’m one of the best in the world and I want to prove it.”
