Lito Adiwang sees the potential for another Filipino up-and-comer to join ONE Championship’s main roster.
“Thunder Kid” is particularly impressed with Marwin Quirante, who delivered a commanding performance in his promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 84 this past October.
“One guy I see who I believe belongs in the ONE [main] roster is Marwin Quirante. That kid, he’s good,” Adiwang told Tiebreaker Times.
The 21-year-old Marawi native showed no mercy against Vietnam’s Phan Thanh Tung in a strawweight MMA bout, controlling the action from start to finish.
Marwin Quirante attains vindication for choosing ONE after sensational win
Quirante showcased impeccable defense, effortlessly shutting down his opponent’s takedown attempts while delivering sharp striking combinations in the opening round.
When Quirante elected to take the fight to the mat, he asserted his dominance, delivering powerful ground-and-pound strikes from the top position that nearly ended matters.
The relentless attack took its toll, and Phan was unable to answer the bell for the second round, conceding the match to Quirante.
With this emphatic victory, “The Green Goblin” extended his professional record to 5-1 and captured his third consecutive win this year.
A trusted source has informed this article’s author that Quirante is slated for another appearance in ONE’s weekly event series at the famed Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand before the end of the year.
With that said, Adiwang is eager to see what lies ahead for this promising young talent.
“I wish him well. Just prove yourself. See you at the top. I’m just happy to see more Filipinos having these opportunities in ONE. I wish them the best,” he stated.
In fact, Adiwang cannot help but feel excited about the growing pipeline of Filipinos aiming for a $100,000 contract and a seat among the elite through ONE’s developmental league.
Adding to this wave is Eros Baluyot, a two-time IBJJF world champion who squares off with Changy Kara-Ool in a strawweight MMA duel at ONE Friday Fights 87 on November 15.
Eros Baluyot faces Filipino tormentor at ONE Friday Fights 87
Baluyot seeks to follow in the footsteps of Carlo Bumina-ang, who earned a six-figure deal last May after racking up five consecutive wins under the ONE Friday Fights banner.
Adiwang hopes more Filipino athletes will soon join him and Bumina-ang in their ranks.
“I’m happy because there are several Filipino fighters that might potentially make the main roster. I’m excited for them, and I hope that eventually, I’ll be able to welcome them into ONE,” he mentioned.
