“I stepped up” - Danny Kingad recalls first time he fought Adriano Moraes on short notice for world title

Third-ranked ONE Championship flyweight MMA contender 'The King' Danny Kingad of the Philippines first met Brazilian rival 'Mikinho' Adriano Moraes nearly seven years ago, when they crossed paths as young upstarts in the world's largest martial arts organization.

Kingad and Moraes faced off at ONE: Legends of the World in Nov. 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. 'The King' lost a disappointing first-round submission to the flyweight MMA icon, and since then, the Filipino star has been looking to book a rematch.

Now almost a decade past, Kingad finally gets his wish. Speaking to ONE Championship in a recent interview, Kingad talked about that first encounter with 'Mikinho'.

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The Lions Nation MMA representative said:

"The first time we faced each other, I stepped up to take him on. It was three weeks before the fight they called and gave me the opportunity to change opponents and get the world title shot, so I took it."

Now more mature and much-improved, the 29-year-old hopes to finally get the job done against Moraes, and book his second attempt at the now-vacant ONE flyweight MMA world title.

It all comes to a head at ONE 169 this weekend as the two run it back in epic fashion.

Danny Kingad and Adriano Moraes go to war at ONE 169 on Prime Video

The Philippines 'The King' Danny Kingad and Brazil's 'Mikinho' Adriano Moraes will look to jockey for pole position, and make their case for a crack at the vacant ONE flyweight MMA world title, left behind by the now-retired Demetrious Johnson.

Kingad and Moraes are set to collide at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video, which broadcasts live on U.S. primetime from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, Nov. 8.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free on Amazon Prime Video.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event during fight week.