Lito Adiwang reveals dream match-up

Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang has always kept his eyes on the ultimate goal — to win a World Title in ONE Championship. 

But if that does not materialize soon, a showdown with all-time great Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson would be a great alternative.

“I think everyone wants to fight Demetrious Johnson, and that’s my dream match in ONE — the number one pound-for-pound king,” Adiwang said.

Adiwang currently competes in the strawweight division, where two impressive wins lifted him to number five in the weight class, according to the latest ONE official rankings.

Johnson, on the other hand, is currently number one in the flyweight division. Still, though he and “Thunder Kid” compete in different weight classes, the match-up is not far-fetched.

Adiwang visualizes how their bout will unfold:

“My biggest advantage would be my mindset. I know he’s good at putting pressure on his opponents, especially the mental pressure, because most of the people he faces are at a loss at what DJ can do,” Adiwang said.

“What I’ll do is look at all the possible options on where he wants the match to take place and see what I can do from that position. From there I can study him more.”

Given Johnson’s experience and his ability to think quickly on the feet, Adiwang knows his strategy is easier said than done.

“What makes it hard to face him is his speed,” Adiwang said, “particularly in the transitions from one position to another. And he also thinks fast on what to do next.”

But as hard as the feat may seem, the Filipino thinks it is doable — if he stays one step ahead of the all-time great.

“The key is controlling the match,” he said. “As long as I don’t let him dictate the match and I control where the fight goes, I’m in good shape. The moment he gets in a groove, you literally have no chance of winning against him.

“I won’t let him impose his will. I would look for counters. I’ve been seeing scenarios where I can win if we fight and that’s my motivation — to keep winning and earn a match against DJ.”