AFTER missing the entire 2025 with a foot injury, Danny “The King” Kingad is returning to ONE Championship with a huge chip on his shoulders.
Kingad is finally cleared for action as he takes on Hu Yong in a flyweight MMA contest at ONE Fight Night 40 set inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand this Saturday.
The Lions Nation MMA representative last fought in November of 2024, losing via guillotine choke to Adriano Moraes and now he’s out to make up for lost time.
“I’m relieved and excited that the match is finally happening. I got injured the last time, so this is a chance for me to display all the improvements I’ve made,” Kingad said. “I’ll give it my all to claim victory.”
King without a crown, yet
Not only will the 30-year-old come in highly motivated to return to winning ways, he understands the situation that he’s in right now.
Competing in Lions Nation MMA, all of Kingad’s teammates who are rostered in ONE Championship have gotten taste of gold from current ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio, to former two-time lightweight king Eduard Folayang, to Kevin Belingon who once laid hands to the bantamweight crown and the inaugural ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion is of course Honorio Banario.
The only guy from that gym to not go all the way in the promotion? Kingad himself.
The setbacks were a mix of bad circumstances alongside performances which came up short, but there’s no secret that “The King” always had the necessary tools to win it all like his peers did.
It’s all a matter of putting things together at this point.
“My peers have all gone on to become champions. I feel like I’m the unlucky one who has yet to get over the hump,” Kingad admitted.
“But I’m really motivated and I think that experience will play a big factor and help me get the victory.”
With that in mind, Kingad is prepared for everything in this match – be it a quick one, or even if it goes the distance.
“I want a finish, of course, but realistically I see this one going the full three rounds. We’re both tough and hard to finish, so it’s a matter of who imposes his game plan. I’m not afraid to strike with him but if there’s openings I will go after those takedowns,” he said.
“It’s just a bonus for me if I get to submit him or finish him via ground-and-pound. Again, victory is the main goal for me right now.”
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