Lito Adiwang on the difference in fighting elite wrestlers like Jarred Brooks: “They really show off their technique”

Fiery Filipino strawweight sensation 'Thunder Kid' Lito Adiwang is in awe of elite wrestlers and their highly technical grappling skills, especially after facing one in former strawweight MMA king Jarred Brooks in 2021.

Adiwang welcomed Brooks to the world's largest martial arts organization at ONE: NextGen III at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore three years ago.

And although the Filipino was able to showcase his world-class striking, Brooks' elite wrestling ultimately got the job done in the second round, when the American forced the tap with a rear-naked choke.

Adiwang, having firsthand experience taking on a wrestler the caliber of Brooks, says his respect skyrocketed for 'The Monkey God'.

He told Sportskeeda MMA in an exclusive interview:

"That’s really what drains your energy when you fight against wrestlers. It’s not all force that they’re just wrapping their arms around you, because there are times when they really show off their technique. They will tire you out and they know when to relax on their locks once they know you’re tired. If they do that, then they’ll start tightening their grips when they feel like you’re trying to fight off on a depleting gas tank."

Adiwang concluded:

"They shift their grips and body weight, those are the advantages of those legit wrestlers."

'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks ready to capture interim gold against 'El Gladiador' Gustavo Balart at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video

'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks is set to do battle with former Cuban Olympian 'El Gladiador' Gustavo Balart for the ONE interim strawweight MMA world title in the main event at ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video.

The event broadcasts live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, Aug. 2.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free on Amazon Prime Video. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates on the event as it happens.