"I started training early for this fight" - Danny Kingad coming into Adriano Moraes rematch well prepared for war
Filipino standout Danny Kingad has wasted no time in his effort to level the series against Adriano Moraes at ONE 169 on November 8.
That evening, the Lions Nation MMA representative and the former ONE world champion run it back in a rematch that has been seven years in the making. Their three-round flyweight MMA joust emanates live from the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Danny Kingad bared his excitement during a recent exchange with One Sports, also revealing why he's started his planning months ahead of this must-win fixture:
"I started training early for this fight, and now I have the luxury to cover everything, particularly when it comes to grappling and submission attempts because I'm facing a very good grappler."
The savvy 29-year-old athlete met Moraes for the ONE flyweight MMA world title at ONE: Legends of the World in November 2017, which remains his only run at gold thus far.
Despite heading into the contest in fine form, 'The King' couldn't handle the Brazilian's acumen on the canvas as he was forced to take his first career defeat due to a rear-naked choke with seconds left in the first round.
However, having evolved into a more well-rounded martial artist over the years, the Philippines national wushu champion is game to show his skills on the canvas and tie things up at one apiece when he has another crack at the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist at ONE 169 next month.
Danny Kingad aiming for a highlight-reel finish of Adriano Moraes at ONE 169
Though Danny Kingad has enjoyed plenty of victorious outings on the biggest stage of martial arts, there has been something he has struggled with through those memorable nights — getting his hand raised inside the distance.
But he hopes to change that come fight night inside the Mecca of Muay Thai.
Speaking to The MMA Superfan, the 29-year-old offered:
"If it all falls into plan, I really want to get that knockout. I want that highlight-reel knockout."
The Filipino firecracker last picked up finishes in his promotional bow and sophomore outing against Muhamad Haidar and Eugene Toquero in December 2016 and April 2017 respectively.
Danny Kingad vs Adriano Moraes II and the entire ONE 169 card will be available to active Amazon Prime Video subscribers in North America live in U.S. primetime for free.