DANNY Kingad makes his first step in his quest to join his celebrated Team Lakay stablemates on Friday when he faces off against Japanese bet Tatsumitsu Wada at ONE: Hero's Ascent.
"Talagang nag-prepare ako para dito," the 23-year-old fighter said.
The bout, which has now been declared as an eliminator for the upcoming Flyweight Grand Prix, is easily the biggest fight in Kingad's young career, one which could put him in line to meeting former UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson.
"Gusto ko sanang makalaro siya first, pero dahil may Grand Prix, talagang nag-ready na ako para dito," he said.
Kingad (10-1) also said that he's not just fighting for himself when he takes on Wada, but is also looking to avenge a pair of defeats Team Lakay incurred last week.
Last Saturday, Joshua Pacio, Kingad's close friend and sparring partner, lost his ONE Strawweight Championship to Yosuke Saruta, as Edward Kelly fell to Christian Lee in Jakarta.
Those defeats further adds fuel to Kingad's burning desire to make the country proud.
"Gusto kong bawian yung nangyari kay Joshua at Edward. Excited ako na bumawi para sa kanila," he said.
But as hell-bent as Kingad is to come out victorious, he promised not to be reckless and stick with his gameplan, with the ultimate goal always focused on having his arms raised when the final bell rings.
"Para sa akin, kung ano mang mangyari, basta ang importante manalo tayo," he said.
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