Team Lakay's Jean Claude Saclag and AJJ Sprawl's Marwin Quirante return to action at ONE Friday Fights 109.
The next generation of Filipino MMA stars are upon us, and strawweight veteran Lito "Thunder Kid" Adiwang is excited to see who emerges as the next best thing.
He'll get another close look when two of the most promising MMA fighters in the country take center stage at ONE Friday Fights 109, with Team Lakay's Jean Claude Saclag and AJJ Sprawl's Marwin Quirante return to action at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 23.
Quirante faces Russia's Torepchi Dongak in a three-round strawweight MMA bout while Saclag meets Turkmenistan's Shazada Ataev in flyweight.
These matches were scheduled for ONE Friday Fights 102 in March but were canceled because of an earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand.
Adiwang believes this is the renaissance of MMA in the country.
"With the way things are going today, we can say that this is really the resurgence of Philippine MMA. We've been building momentum over the past few months, and it's time to rise once more," Adiwang said.
"After everything that happened, the losses, the drama, the departures and what not, we're still producing great fighters,” he added.
“New talents are rising, getting to show their skills. Marwin Quirante is one example, my former teammates in Team Lakay in Jean Claude Saclag, Carlos Alvarez and Carlo Bumina-ang, they're showing that the future of Philippine MMA is secure."
One person Adiwang particularly highlighted is Quirante, who many believe is the next fighter to electrify the strawweight division.
At age 21, "Green Goblin" has already shown a diverse skill set and an advanced killer instinct – never hesitating when given the opportunity to finish.
Adiwang explained how Quirante reminds him of himself, especially regarding aggression.
"I see the resemblance between me and Marwin Quirante. I see a lot of myself in him," Adiwang said.
"What I like about him is his approach when it comes to fights. It's explosive but calculated."