Lito Adiwang’s faces setback, postpones ONE FC return due to recurring injury

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Lito Adiwang’s highly-anticipated comeback in the ONE Fighting Championship won’t be happening on January 14, 2023 and will have to wait a little longer.

Two weeks ago, Adiwang was already cleared by his medical doctors to fight in the upcoming ONE Fight Night 6 but a sudden turn of events forced his camp to pull out against Mansur Malachiev.

Adiwang felt pain again in his right knee which was operated nine months ago due to an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear.

The Team Lakay staple tore his ACL during his fight against co-Pinoy Jeremy Miado last March 2022 when he suddenly felt a pop in his right knee after backpedaling.

After limping in pain, Miado immediately rushed to Adiwang and threw some quick hammer fists but the referee was wise to call the fight off and waived his hands to make it official.

“My mind is 1000 percent ready to go to war but suddenly, my knee is not cooperating and it’s getting worse when I try to push it hard for training. As per the advice of my doctor, I’ll give it some time to recover and continue my therapy to strengthen it,” Adiwang said.

Adiwang further explained that he was in his greatest shape a few months ago during his intensive training but as the bout came to a close, his right knee started to have some recurring pains.

The hard-hitting Filipino MMA fighter then received advice from his doctor to have his injury rest for 60 days.

“To ONE Championship, my opponent, fans, and supporters, I’m sorry that I will not be able to compete this January in Bangkok but I will do my best to heal and recover as fast as I can and continue this fight. I’ll enter the Circle healthy and prepared to give the best show that I can give,” added Adiwang.