■ Harley F. Palangchao
Former ONE flyweight title contender Danny Kingad will be back in action in January, as he faces Yuya Wakamatsu in a rematch on hostile soil, as ONE 165 unfolds at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan on Jan. 28.
Kingad, 28, who joined Lion’s Nation MMA founded by former ONE world champions, has been busy in his training by harnessing his ground game through Brazilian jiu jitsu master Prof. Gibran Langbayan.
The last time Kingad saw action was on Feb. 24 this year where he won via unanimous decision against Ero Roni Saputra of Indonesia after a three rounds of intense battle.
That win improved Kingad’s MMA record to 15 wins against three losses since becoming professional fighter in November 2014.
Kingad and Wakamatsu first match was on Jan. 25, 2019 with the former going home victorious with a unanimous decision win.
Kingad has fought some of the toughest fighters in the deep flyweight division such as Reece McLaren, Kairat Akhmetov and former long-time Ultimate Fighting Championship world champion Demetrius Johnson.
Wakamutsu has also faced the same fighters, including former world champion Adriano Moraes and Geje Eustaquio.
The 28-year-old Japanese fighter is known for his athleticism, agility and knockout power having stopped 12 of his 16 opponents either via knockout or technical knockout. The “Little Piranna” currently has 16 wins against six losses since he turned professional MMA fighter in 2014.
Earlier, Kingad said he is ready to fight any ranked fighter in his bid to get closer to another title shot.
As one of the most talented fighters on ONE Championship’s MMA roster, Ki-ngad is within shouting distance of a ONE flyweight world title shot.
