“He was just really good” - Danny Kingad says there was barely any weaknesses to Demetrious Johnson’s game
It can be difficult to comprehend Demetrious Johnson's overall greatness, but former foe Danny Kingad perfectly summed up how the MMA legend operates. Kingad succinctly explained why Johnson often operates at a whole new level every time he steps between the ropes or inside the cage.
In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Kingad said Johnson fought with such a cool demeanor when they crossed paths in the final of the ONE Flyweight MMA World Grand Prix at ONE: Century Part I in Tokyo in 2019.
Danny Kingad explained Johnson will always be in conversation as the greatest fighter of all time due to his unparalleled IQ and natural athleticism.
"I think he’s at the very top. He was really crafty and elusive. Even if I was trying to get the finish, he was just really good. From my experience, he didn’t have a ton of power, but he’s really fast and he’s so mature in the Circle."
Kingad, who's often seen as one of the most versatile fighters of the current generation, threw everything in his arsenal at Johnson during their Tokyo barnburner.
Johnson, however, had a counter and an answer for everything leaving Kingad perplexed the entire fight.
Since that fateful 2019 encounter, Danny Kingad went 2-2 in his next four fights. Johnson, meanwhile, took the ONE flyweight MMA world title from Adriano Moraes and retired holding the gold.
Nevertheless, the Filipino standout is determined to recapture his form when he takes on Moraes next month.
Kingad's rematch against Moraes goes down at ONE 169 on November 8 at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
ONE 169 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
Danny Kingad admits he's bothered he hasn't had recorded a highlight finish in eight years
Filipino fighters in ONE Championship are often synonymous with highlight-reel finishes, but Danny Kingad seemed to have bucked that trend.
Kingad is still one of the most dangerous fighters on the planet, but his grappling-heavy style prevented him from scoring those mind-bending finishes that his compatriots Joshua Pacio, Eduard Folayang, Lito Adiwang, and Jeremy Miado have been known for.
In an interview with ONE Championship, Kingad said his lack of highlights did bother him and he plans to stop that trend when he takes on Adriano Moraes at ONE 169.
"In each fight that I don’t finish my opponents, it bothers me really, and all I can do is to ask coaches [how to increase my chances of winning by KO], go back to the drawing board, and continue to learn."