Lito Adiwang’s thunder falls quiet in loss at ONE Combat Night time 45

Lito Adiwang willingly embraced the problem, however Antonio Cesar made positive he paid the value.

After reviving his blended martial arts profession with back-to-back victories, and looking out rejuvenated since transferring up in weight, Adiwang noticed his momentum grind to a halt when the Brazilian newcomer smothered him over three rounds to earn a unanimous resolution victory of their 141-pound catchweight duel at ONE Combat Night time 45 inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Saturday.

The defeat snapped the Filipino’s two-fight profitable streak, which included victories over Mauro Mastromarini and Eko Roni Saputra, and dropped his skilled document to 18-7.

The matchup virtually by no means occurred.

ONE Championship initially booked the competition at flyweight, however Cesar didn’t make weight and didn’t move hydration. Reasonably than stroll away, Adiwang accepted a 141-pound catchweight battle, decided to maintain the encounter alive regardless of giving up one other measurement benefit.

For a lot of the opening spherical, the gamble appeared worthwhile.

The 33-year-old Baguio Metropolis native instantly imposed his trademark strain, chopping away with kicks earlier than charging ahead behind crisp mixtures.

He even caught one among Cesar’s kicks, swept the Brazilian to the mat, secured high place, and landed a number of floor strikes earlier than bringing the battle again to the ft.

The Filipino hard-hitter continued to seek out success within the placing exchanges, cracking Cesar with a clear overhand proper because the Brazilian surprisingly selected to face and commerce.

Every little thing modified with one completely timed stage change.

As Adiwang uncorked a left hook, Cesar ducked beneath, accomplished a double-leg takedown, and started implementing the wrestling-heavy method that slowly drained the explosiveness from “Thunder Child.”

Cesar did little harm earlier than the first-round bell, however he had found the blueprint.

Adiwang got here out aggressively once more within the second spherical, however Cesar answered with the largest momentum swing of the battle.

The Brazilian muscled the Soma Combat Membership consultant into the air and slammed him in the midst of the ring earlier than taking up on the canvas.

From there, Cesar managed almost each change on the bottom. He easily superior his place, pinned Adiwang beneath him, and repeatedly attacked the physique with knees and elbows whereas denying the Filipino any sustained offense.

Adiwang lastly fought his manner again to his ft within the closing seconds of the spherical, however he entered the third needing a end.

As a substitute, Cesar shut the door. A missed spinning backfist gave the Brazilian one other opening to attain a takedown, and he wasted no time dragging Adiwang again into deep waters.

Adiwang briefly escaped, however Cesar instantly closed the space, returned him to the mat, and continued to dictate the battle with suffocating high management.

Working from a north-south place, Cesar hammered Adiwang’s shoulders with knees earlier than punctuating his dominant efficiency with a barrage of hammerfists within the closing seconds.

By the point ring announcer Dom Lau learn the judges’ scorecards, the end result had lengthy been determined. All three judges noticed the bout for Cesar, who improved to 14-2 and picked up the largest victory of his promising profession.

The win got here with a monetary penalty, nevertheless.

As a result of Cesar missed weight and failed hydration, ONE docked him 25% of his purse, with the forfeited quantity awarded to Adiwang.

Regardless of the setback, Adiwang as soon as once more proved prepared to tackle tough circumstances. This time, nevertheless, his trademark aggression met a grappler who refused to let the thunder strike.