Danny Kingad has gained a strong ally in his pursuit of redemption against an old rival.
Lito Adiwang is confident that his former teammate can finally achieve payback on former champion Adriano Moraes in their flyweight MMA rematch at ONE 169 on Saturday, November 9.
Set to emanate live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, this second showdown has been seven years in the making. Both men first clashed in November 2017 when Moraes successfully defended the divisional crown against a then-surging Kingad.
Moraes dominated Kingad in that initial duel, overwhelming him on the ground before orchestrating a submission finish with just 15 seconds left in the first round.
Adiwang believes significant changes have occurred since that encounter, particularly in Kingad’s development.
“Danny has come a long way since 2017. He’s smarter, more experienced, and more strategic now. He’s been in tough fights and has grown as a complete fighter,” the Filipino knockout artist told Tiebreaker Times.
While Adiwang praises Kingad’s maturity and improvements over the years, he acknowledges that Moraes has gained a comprehensive understanding of the game.
Although Moraes is undeniably one of the top flyweights in the world today, “Thunder Kid” senses the 35-year-old Brazilian may be on the decline.
He cites several factors, including age and an extended layoff from competition, as contributing elements.
After an 18-month hiatus and back-to-back losses to Demetrious Johnson, Adiwang feels that “Mikinho” is vulnerable, making him ripe for Kingad’s taking.
“I think this is Danny’s moment. When they first fought, Moraes was approaching his prime. Since their first match, a lot has changed. Moraes is now past his prime, and that’s natural in this sport. So, this is a big opportunity for Danny,” he stated.
“There are also many aspects to consider; for one, Danny has the mentality of wanting to bounce back. Meanwhile, Moraes hasn’t fought in a long time and is coming off a loss. Danny, on the other hand, has remained active. Those are the factors that need to be taken into account.”
In addition to this intriguing perspective, Adiwang identified a potential weakness in Moraes’ vaunted grappling that he hopes Kingad can exploit during the fight.
“Moraes is a grappler, and he will always go for the takedown. Once he secures it, he automatically aims for the submission. But in his past fights, you can see that he hesitates when he’s met with resistance on the ground,” Adiwang shared.
“Danny’s wrestling is no joke either. So, it’s important for Danny not to get bullied once they hit the ground. He needs to show that he can overpower Moraes as well.”
However, he emphasizes that Kingad must be in top physical and mental form to capitalize on this advantage.
Reflecting on Kingad’s recent performance against Yuya Wakamatsu last January, where he lost by unanimous decision, Adiwang warns that anything less than peak readiness could jeopardize his compatriot’s chances.
He also advised “The King” to remain sharp throughout the three-round battle as Moraes’ experience could easily sway the outcome.
“Danny has to be at his best, sharper than he was against Wakamatsu earlier this year. It’ll be tough if he’s not fully prepared, but if he is, he can definitely push the pace and keep Moraes on his toes,” he explained.
Despite the obstacles, Adiwang remains optimistic. He sees a path to victory for Kingad, particularly if he can stretch the matchup into the later rounds.
But if everything goes according to plan, he genuinely wishes for his friend to attain a decisive finish.
“If Danny has the right game plan, executes it well, and stays mentally focused, there’s no doubt he can win this. He has a full three rounds to work with. In my opinion, the longer the fight goes, the more it favors him,” Adiwang declared.
“I see a decision victory in favor of Danny. But if there’s another opportunity to finish the fight, why not go for it? It would also be great for Danny to end the fight on his own terms.”
