Adriano Moraes, Rich Franklin, Danny Kingad

Danny “The King” Kingad, 23, of the Philippines may face Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes, 29, of Brazil in the cage again soon. But for this rematch to happen, the Filipino mixed martial artist has to win the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix.

Training out of Team Lakay in Baguio City, Philippines, Kingad formally put his name in the tournament after beating Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada, 30, of Japan via unanimous decision at “ONE: Hero’s Ascent” at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines on January 25, 2019. It marked the Filipino fighter’s seventh ONE Championship win.

One of the youngest warriors in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix, Kingad knows that it is the perfect platform to get back to ONE World Title contention. He said, “I’m very excited to showcase my talent against the best in my division.”

“My hard work paid off but this is just the beginning,” the Team Lakay athlete continued. “Expect me to double my efforts and to train harder now that I’m already part of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix.”

Bannering the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix is former UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, 32, of Parkland, Washington, United States. Also expected to stake their claim in the tournament and get the right to face the reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion are Reece “Lighting” McLaren, 26, of Australia, Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu, 23, of Japan and former division kingpin Kairat “The Kazakh” Akhmetov, 31, of Kazakhstan.

“I’m looking forward to fighting the top talent and earning that world title,” Kingad said. “I think everybody has a right to earn their spot and I’m here to earn my spot. I’ll do my best and give my everything in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix.”

Currently, Kingad holds a professional MMA record of 11 wins and 1 loss. The only opponent he lost to was Moraes.

On November 10, 2017, Kingad challenged Moraes in the co-main event of “ONE: Legends of the World” at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The Brazilian defending champion submitted his Filipino challenger via rear-naked choke.

Moraes later lost the title to Kingad’s Team Lakay teammate Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, 29. But at “ONE: Hero’s Ascent,” the Brazilian fighter reclaimed the title from Eustaquio at “ONE: Hero’s Ascent” at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Here are Kingad and Eustaquio at the “ONE: Hero’s Ascent” post-fight press conference: