Team Lakay's Lito Adiwang Reveals Heartwarming Motivation Behind Early Return

Team Lakay strawweight Lito Adiwang is making his return to the ONE Championship cage despite only being nine months removed from suffering a torn ACL that he suffered at ONE X against Jeremy Miado this past March.

To many observers, Adiwang's decision to return to the fight game so soon is a surprising development since it usually takes about nine months to fully recover from such a devastating injury.

International Business Times sports editor and combat sports analyst Nissi Icasiano recently spoke with Adiwang and the explosive striker revealed why he decided to return so early.

"One main reason is I promised my father that I will fight this January if he holds on and fights for his life. I saw how he fought for it that even if the doctor said he only had a 97% mortality rate, he's hanging on and is waiting for my other siblings to arrive from abroad before he passes away," Adiwang told Icasiano.

"That is why I'm taking this fight in January because it's a fight that has meaning for me–to honor that promise and give my best as if it's my last fight."

Adiwang, 29, burst onto ONE Championship's strawweight scene thanks to his explosive fighting style, which featured spinning kicks and fists while also being skilled enough to threaten submissions.

He will be tasked with welcoming undefeated Russian fighter Mansur Malachiev, and there is a sense of dread among his fans entering the matchup because of his injury, a concern that Adiwang addressed.

"I really appreciate all the concerns, but I felt that I am ready to come back. One thing I know that is 100% and it is my will to win this fight. The monster in me has awakened again to go there and win no matter what. Rather than keep waiting for the perfect time, I will just make the time perfect," he stated.

Fighting a relative unknown among ONE Championship fans is dangerous enough since Malachiev had finished eight of his 10 opponents, and while Adiwang agreed that having a warm-up fight first would make sense, that is just simply not how he operates.

"Honestly, there are a lot of 'safer' opponents that I can fight first for my comeback, but Malachiev was the opponent that was offered to me. I want this. I want to face the best of the best in this game," Adiwang mentioned.

Their fight is set to take place at ONE on Prime Video 6 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, and his conversation with Icasiano inevitably turned to assess his opponent.

The 29-year-old from Baguio City, Philippines is aware that he is coming in as the underdog against Malachiev, but he believes that his determination to return to his winning ways will overcome anything that the Russian newcomer throws at him.

As a closing message, Adiwang sent his heartfelt gratitude to his fans and supporters.

"To all my supporters that keep believing in me, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you. You guys are my motivation to keep pushing and chasing my dream. I know that I have a long way to go to show my full potential. Thank you," he said.