Danny Kingad steps into his upcoming bout with more than just strategy and skill – he carries the weight of a higher purpose as if an angel rests on his shoulder.
The 29-year-old native of Sadanga, Mountain Province is ready to lock horns with Brazilian rival Adriano Moraes in a highly anticipated flyweight MMA rematch at ONE 169 on November 9, booked to take place at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
It’s a crucial match-up for both men as it pits two of the division’s top contenders against each other, with a potential shot at the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship hanging in the balance.
For “The King,” though, the incentive to claim victory runs deep.
Beyond the competitive drive to secure a crack at 26 pounds of gold, he is also fighting in honor of one of the most influential figures in his life – his late mother.
Her passing this past May left an indelible mark on him, and the pain of her loss continues to resonate.
Yet, in that grief, Kingad has found a renewed appreciation for every moment, recognizing how precious his time is in and out of the ring.
“I’m still hurt. I don’t think it will ever go away. But I have to accept that it was really her time,” he said.
“It reminded me of our mortality, that our loved ones aren’t going to be here forever. So it’s all about cherishing every moment.
The loss of his mother isn’t the first heartache Kingad has endured. He lost his father when he was just 8 years old, leaving the family’s matriarch to raise five children on her own.
Her resilience and determination to provide for her family, despite the immense challenges, made her a key figure in Kingad’s life.
While his older brothers helped forge his warrior’s spirit, it was his mother’s unwavering support and strength that truly inspired him.
“The hard work [is the characteristic I most want to emulate]. My parents have always been hard workers, and it’s something I always keep in mind when providing for my family,” Kingad shared.
“I’ve seen how my mother supported us through the years, and it’s something that I hope to be for my family.”
It’s that profound lesson of perseverance, learned from watching his mother’s sacrifices, that has shaped Kingad not only as a mixed martial artist but also as a father to his son, Gleuordan Adriel.
“I’m just happy to be her son. She raised me well,” he stated.
Heading into ONE 169, Kingad faces his toughest challenge yet against Moraes, the former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion.
Moraes currently holds the No. 1 spot in the weight class. Meanwhile, the Filipino spitfire is ranked #3.
With the recent retirement of Demetrious Johnson and the divisional throne now vacant, the stakes couldn’t be higher
While that’s already a powerful motivator, Kingad’s desire to pay homage to his mother’s memory makes him even more determined to walk away with the victory.
“I’m really motivated to win this fight for my mom. She’s always been supportive of me. She always supported me in this sport,” he mentioned.
“Sometimes she’d just say, ‘I don’t care if you get hit, the most important thing is you win!’ That’s how I’m motivating myself.”
