Danny Kingad is undeniably one of the most exciting flyweight mixed martial artists ever to grace the ONE Championship stage.
Known for his explosive style and heart inside the Circle, the 28-year-old Sadanga, Mountain Province native has consistently delivered electrifying matches that have left fans on the edge of their seats.
However, there’s one thing that has eluded him for years — a stoppage victory.
“The King” hasn’t secured a finish since 2016, a statistic that weighs heavily on his mind as he prepares for his upcoming assignment at ONE 169 on November 9 (Philippine time).
On the blockbuster card, he runs it back with former divisional king and Brazilian rival Adriano Moraes.
Kingad is particularly excited about this bout as it provides him an opportunity to showcase his talent in a new market. The event is set to take place at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, and he is determined to deliver an unforgettable performance for the American audience.
“I’m super excited for my next fight. I cannot wait to perform there and try to put on a show. I know this is a great chance to make a statement and bring back the finishes,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
(C) ONE FC.com
Since his early days in the organization, the Lions Nation MMA member has been revered for his ability to end fights decisively.
His promotional debut in April 2016 saw him dispatch Muhamad Haidar with a first-round TKO. It was followed by a submission victory over Eugene Toquero later that year.
However, his subsequent nine career victories have all been earned through the judges’ scorecards.
Now, Kingad is on a mission to deliver a performance that will earn a place in ONE’s highlight reel of knockouts moving forward.
“If it all falls into plan, I really want to get that knockout. I want that highlight-reel knockout. I haven’t gotten one yet,” he said.
But Kingad knows that simply going the distance with Moraes won’t suffice, especially if he hopes to earn a shot at Demetrious Johnson’s ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship.
Despite Moraes holding the No. 1 spot in the division’s rankings, he is fully aware that a mere decision win won’t be enough to convince Johnson and ONE to put him next in line for a crack at 26 pounds of gold.
“Just winning isn’t enough. I need to make a statement,” Kingad explained. “A spectacular finish is what’s required to catch the eye of Demetrious Johnson and the ONE Championship brass. I’m ready to prove that I’m not just another contender but a worthy challenger for the title.”
