Lito Adiwang eyes rematch with ex-UFC fighter Jarred Brooks

Hard-hitting mixed martial arts strawweight Lito Adiwang of Baguio City's Team Lakay is raring to get in the cage once more against former UFC fighter Jarred Brooks.

Adiwang and Brooks locked horns last October at ONE: NextGen III where the latter triumphed via submission in round two. According to the Filipino prizefighter, his nerves got the better of him on fight night.

"I must admit that the pressure got into me because that's my first major fight at ONE Championship. I was surprised by how big the moment was. It's like you know your moves, but you're late by one step in executing them," said Adiwang.

"My biggest lesson is that you need to prepare mentally and focus. Even if you are physically capable, you cannot afford to be out of focus entering the circle. Without it, you won't be able to execute your game plan no matter how much you practice. Focus is essential once you're there."

The 28-year-old Adiwang (13-4) is set to face an equally explosive striker and fellow Filipino in Jeremy Miado at ONE: X on March 26 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. He made it clear that he is not looking past his next fight but said he wants Brooks should he triumph over Miado.

"I'm hoping that I'll deliver and get the victory [over Miado]. After this fight, I will try to chase Jarred Brooks for that rematch. For now, I'd like that to happen more than fighting for the [strawweight] belt because a lot of people doubted me and looked down on me after that fight," he said.

"Once I win, then I'll prove the doubters wrong. But once I lose, I'll accept my limitations. However, I'll make sure that I will win the second time around."

—MGP, GMA News