“Winning is the most important thing for me right now”: Danny Kingad eager for redemption at ONE Fight Night 40

Danny Kingad has long established himself as one of the Philippines’ premier mixed martial arts talents, consistently competing against the best in the world under the ONE Championship banner. Renowned for his relentless pace, well-rounded skill set, and composure under pressure, the 30-year-old flyweight remains one of the country’s most respected figures on the international MMA stage.

Kingad is set to return to action on Saturday, February 14, at ONE Fight Night 40, where he will square off against China’s Hu Yong in a flyweight showdown at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The bout marks a pivotal moment for the Team Lakay standout as he looks to reassert himself in one of ONE Championship’s most competitive divisions.

The Sadanga, Mountain Province native last saw action at ONE 169, where he fell short in a World Title eliminator rematch against former champion Adriano Moraes, tapping to a second-round guillotine choke. While the setback was a tough pill to swallow, Kingad insists the time away from competition has only intensified his hunger to return stronger.

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“Believe it or not, I really missed getting punched in the face,” Kingad said with a grin during a recent media interaction. “I miss the adrenaline, the black eye, and being in a wild fight. I want that euphoric feeling again. It’s those little things that I miss the most.”

Motivation has never been an issue for the Filipino veteran, particularly after back-to-back losses that halted his momentum in the title picture.

“I’m feeling nothing but excitement,” Kingad said. “My last two fights didn’t go according to plan, so I’m really hungry to redeem myself. I’m pushing myself to the limit in training because I badly want to win this fight. Right now, winning is the most important thing for me.”

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Standing across from him is Hu Yong, a dangerous and explosive finisher who has proven his ability to end fights early, most notably with a first-round knockout of former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje Eustaquio at ONE 164. Kingad is well aware of the threat his Chinese counterpart brings.

“He’s a proven finisher and has beaten a lot of big names,” Kingad acknowledged. “But that’s the beauty of MMA—we’re not limited to just one discipline. I know how good he is on the feet, so why not test his ground game?”

Kingad believes grappling and conditioning could be key factors in the matchup, pointing out that Hu’s decision losses have often come against opponents who controlled him on the mat.

“Most of his losses came from opponents using top pressure and controlling him on the ground,” he explained. “I believe I can do the same and impose my will. I also think my conditioning will give me an edge.”

The matchup has been a long time coming. Kingad and Hu were originally slated to face each other at ONE Fight Night 15 in 2023, but a foot injury forced Kingad to withdraw. Now healthy and re-energized, he sees the bout as a chance to reset his trajectory.

“I’m always motivated, especially now that the stakes are higher,” Kingad said. “I just really want to win. It’s been a while. I won’t force anything—I believe the bonus will come at the right time. Expect an explosive fight. We’re both coming off losses, and we’re both hungry. I’m excited to do what I do best and get my career back on track.”

As Kingad prepares for this crucial test, all signs point to a high-intensity clash that could shape the next chapter of his career. Armed with experience, discipline, and renewed fire, the Filipino standout has a golden opportunity to remind the ONE Flyweight division—and the global MMA community—that Danny Kingad remains a formidable force on the world stage.

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