LITO Adiwang makes his return to the ONE Championship cage after nursing a knee injury.
The 29-year-old Adiwang takes on undefeated Russian Mansur Malachiev in the undercard of “ONE Fight Night 6” at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand on Jan. 14, 2023.
“With the trials in my career and life, I’ve tasted defeat in the game, injury, and losses in life. It’s painful and demoralizing. I did reach my breaking point, but [I know] that if I [succumb] to this emotional and painful feeling, this can be my downfall,” Adiwang said.
“This time, I just need to hold my head up high. I need to collect and compose myself and hold on to my belief that God put me here for a reason, and that I still have a purpose to fulfill—to become a champion in my career.”
Adiwang suffered an ACL injury in his fight with Jeremy Miado in ONE X last March. He then had surgery to repair his ACL in May.
Adiwang is also coming into this fight with a heavy heart after losing his father in October. He’ll dedicate this fight to his late father.
Adiwang is currently in a slump, losing his last two fights against newly-crowned ONE strawweight champion Jarred Brooks and Miado.
Adiwang is in danger of losing a third straight fight as he takes on a very dangerous opponent in Malachiev.
The 31-year-old Malachiev fought his last three fights in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC. He won all three of his fights there, submitting Ilmiyamin Dzhavatov, Ruslan Sariev and Rashid Vagabov.
The show is headlined by a double world title kickboxing fight.
ONE featherweight kickboxing champion Superbon Singha Mawynn (113-34) defends his title against ONE featherweight kickboxing Grand Prix champion Chingiz Allazov (59-5-1), while ONE flyweight kickboxing king Ilias Ennahachi (37-3) takes on challenger Superlek Kiatmookao (131-29-4).
Also in the card, Thai star Rodtang Jitmuangnon (269-42-10) faces off Daniel Puertas (32-8) in a kickboxing fight and Stamp Fairtex (63-17-5) locks horns with Annisa Meksen (103-5) in an MMA-Muay Thai mixed rules bout. /