Mark Sangiao: Confidence is key for Lito Adiwang in upcoming debut

Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao says that confidence is key for Lito Adiwang in upcoming debut at ONE: Century.

Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao says that confidence will be the main key to victory for the debuting Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang at ONE: Century this coming Oct. 13, 2019, at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.

The 23-year old strawweight, who is coming off a spectacular stint on Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series, will be one of four members of the famed Team Lakay stable that will be competing in ONE Championship’s historic 100th event, and he will be facing a hometown bet in Senzo Ikeda.

“Lito has a massive test in front of him for his ONE Championship debut, after coming off that impressive stint on the ONE Warrior Series, and he’s very excited for the opportunity,” said Sangiao. “What I told him is to have no doubts and to take the fight immediately, and he himself wants to test himself against Senzo Ikeda.”

Adiwang, 9-2 in mixed martial arts, made a name for himself on the widely-successful documentary series with back-to-back first-round TKO victories. In his third outing on the ONE Warrior Series stage, Adiwang showed his durability with a dominant decision win to earn a ONE Championship contract.

For Sangiao, Adiwang has the makings of a star, much like the ones that have come before him. Adiwang will be the latest member of Team Lakay to step inside the ONE Championship circle, following in the footsteps of Eduard Folayang, Honorio Banario, Kevin Belingon, Geje Eustaquio, Danny Kingad, Joshua Pacio, Gina Iniong, and April Osenio, among others.

“I have faith in Lito, based on his past few fights, I can say that he’s going to be a star in MMA,” said Sangiao.

Sure enough, Adiwang’s performances do indicate a bright career ahead. But for the widely-respected mentor, the ONE rookie will need to also have the confidence to be able to compete on the big stage.

“We need to make sure that Lito is completely ready for this fight, and we know very well that when you go up against a Japanese fighter in their home court, they will be coming with more than 100-percent confidence, and it’s not just their confidence that carries them, it’s also their technique.

“The Japanese are very technical fighters, so we need to gameplan for this fight very well, and we need to see to it that Lito comes into this with the same, or even a higher level of confidence.

“Skill-wise, of course, Lito is right up there with the best of them, and we got to see that during his run in the ONE Warrior Series. We see that in his body, his strength, his conditioning, and of course his skills, so it’s not at all impossible that Lito comes out of this with a big victory,” Sangiao added.

Making your debut on the biggest card in history is quite the way to come in, but Sangiao believes it is a sign that the higher-ups see something in Adiwang. Now, it is up to “Thunder Kid” to live up to those expectations.

“Probably they saw a lot of potential in him from his wins on the ONE Warrior Series, that’s why they gave him this opportunity,” Sangiao explained. “He’s making his debut on the biggest card in ONE history, and it goes without saying that this will be a massive test and a massive opportunity. This is a chance for him to prove that he deserved that contract and this is a chance for him to prove that he belongs on the big stage.”

ONE: Century takes place on Sunday, October 13, 2019, live from the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. Follow along with FanSided MMA who will be cage-side for all your live results and highlights from the night.