Lito Adiwang has expressed why he'd rather face Jarred Brooks than Joshua Pacio for the ONE strawweight world title.
The Filipino striker has the potential to fight either champion after putting on an incredibly entertaining performance against Thai-Australian superstar Danial Williams this past February.
Compared to a couple of years ago, Adiwang has certainly come to his own with three straight wins against some of the toughest strawweights in the division. However, the biggest test of all would be to fight a guy he considers his friend.
Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda MMA, Adiwang said:
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"I prefer to face him [Brooks] eventually instead of Joshua. But let's see, let's see the future decide. Another thing why I want to fight Jarred is that Filipinos don't want to see two countrymen fight each other."
As things stand, the strawweight division has two champions at the helm. If Joshua Pacio manages to return from his injury, he is to defend his crown against interim world champion Jarred Brooks without question.
Once they get past that point, Lito Adiwang, as well as some top contenders, will take a stab at the future champion.
"The fire to win will be much greater in Danny" - Lito Adiwang believes Danny Kingad has all the motivation he needs to beat Adriano Moraes in their rematch
Lito Adiwang is also excited to watch fellow countryman Danny Kingad get his hand raised against former long-time flyweight world champion Adriano Moraes.
Kingad and Moraes are booked to face off in a rematch at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug in Thailand next month, which has the whole MMA community jumping with excitement.
Seven years since their first encounter, Kingad says he's a more well-rounded fighter than the version Moraes defeated in 2017. Although he's coming off a loss, Kingad has a long list of supporters who believe he's got what it takes to take home the win.
Lito Adiwang, especially, says he's rallying behind his fellow countryman because Kingad is desperate for a victory.
He told Sportskeeda MMA:
"His [Adriano Moraes] championship experience will be his main advantage here, but I think the fire to win will be much greater in Danny."