Danny Kingad’s much-awaited flyweight MMA rematch against former champion Adriano Moraes will no longer happen on American shores.
Both men are booked to go head-to-head at ONE 169, a fight card that was initially supposed to happen at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 8 (November 9 in the Philippines).
But in a surprise announcement made during the wee hours of Saturday, October 5, ONE Championship confirmed that the entire event would now be relocated to the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on the same date.
In a press statement, the promotion revealed that the change in venue was due to “partner obligations” – a sudden logistical shift that has left many fans disappointed, particularly following its recent blockbuster success in the United States.
The organization hosted a memorable spectacle at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, this past September, generating a live gate of $1,280,335, as reported by dirtsheet journalist Dave Meltzer.
Despite the disappointment, ONE assured fans who purchased tickets for the originally scheduled extravaganza in Atlanta that they would receive full refunds via Ticketmaster.
Furthermore, they would be able to register for exclusive access to discounted tickets for ONE’s two planned U.S. events in 2025.
While the news is disappointing for those hoping to witness the second encounter between Kingad and Moraes stateside, it will still proceed as planned, only now on the iconic grounds of the Lumpinee Stadium.
This match-up has huge implications for the future of the division, especially after Demetrious Johnson called it a career and relinquished his hold of the ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship.
Moraes is currently rated as the No. 1 contender, while Kingad occupies the No. 3 seat in the rankings.
Demetrious Johnson greenlights to stake vacant flyweight title in Danny Kingad-Adriano Moraes II
A victory for either man will definitely guarantee a pole position for a crack at the vacant throne atop the weight class.
