Lito Adiwang Gets New Opponent, Faces Surging Antonio Cesar At ONE Fight Night 45

Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang has received a new assignment for his rapid return to action.

The Filipino fan favorite will now welcome Brazilian newcomer Antonio “The Flash” Cesar in a flyweight MMA contest at ONE Fight Night 45 on Prime Video, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, July 17.

Adiwang was initially scheduled to face Joshua “Flyin Hawaiian” Perreira, but he will instead meet a dangerous new arrival carrying significant momentum into his promotional debut.

The matchup adds another compelling MMA battle to an event headlined by the featherweight Muay Thai collision between Luke “The Chef” Lessei and “The Eagle” Mohamed Younes Rabah.

Adiwang spent much of his ONE Championship tenure competing at strawweight, where his speed, explosive wushu attacks, and knockout power made him one of the division’s most recognizable threats.

But since leaving the weight class behind, “Thunder Kid” has looked virtually unstoppable.

The Soma Fight Club representative made his flyweight debut against Mauro “Dinamita” Mastromarini at ONE Fight Night 37 last November. After darting in and out of range, Adiwang landed a heavy left hook and followed with ground strikes to secure a TKO in the opening round.

He moved up in weight for his next appearance against Indonesian Wrestling Champion Eko Roni Saputra at ONE Fight Night 43 this past May, but the result was even more emphatic.

Adiwang stormed forward with heavy hooks, hurt Saputra in the opening exchange, and unleashed a barrage of unanswered punches to force the stoppage after only 34 seconds.

Following that dominant performance, the 33-year-old made it clear that his future lies in the flyweight MMA division and that he wants to test himself against its leading contenders.

Now armed with consecutive first-round TKOs, 18 career victories, and a 75 percent finishing rate, Adiwang has established himself as a legitimate threat in his new division.

Another convincing performance on July 17 would extend his winning streak to three, strengthen his growing case for a major flyweight matchup, and bring him another step closer to the World Title opportunity he has long pursued.

However, the Filipino veteran must first overcome a hungry newcomer who has been building his own impressive run in Brazil.

Cesar will arrive on the global stage with a 13-2 professional record and eight consecutive victories.

The 22-year-old Brazilian has steadily developed his skills on the South American circuit, showing the ability to maintain a strong pace over three rounds while becoming increasingly dangerous on the canvas.

That evolution has been particularly clear in his two most recent appearances.

“The Flash” submitted two opponents with rear-naked chokes within just two months in 2026, extending his winning streak to eight and paving the way to the world’s largest martial arts organization.

Rather than receiving a gradual introduction to ONE, the Brazilian will immediately face a battle-tested opponent with years of experience against elite competition.

A victory over Adiwang would extend Cesar’s streak to nine, introduce his name to a global audience, and instantly establish him as one of the most intriguing new additions to the flyweight MMA ranks.

For Adiwang, the challenge is equally significant.

The Filipino has rebuilt his momentum with two spectacular finishes and now wants to turn that resurgence into a serious march toward the divisional summit. But Cesar represents precisely the type of ambitious new blood who can disrupt those plans with one breakthrough performance.

When they meet at ONE Fight Night 45, Adiwang’s explosive experience will collide with Cesar’s youthful momentum and growing submission arsenal in a high-stakes flyweight battle.

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