Danny Kingad looking to use Hu Yong as springboard back to ONE World Title contention: “The most important thing”

Back-to-back defeats hit differently when you’ve spent a decade building elite status. Danny Kingad knows that feeling intimately.

The 30-year-old Filipino faces Hu Yong in a flyweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 40 on Friday, February 13, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Kingad dropped consecutive fights for the first time in his professional career. Yuya Wakamatsu won their rematch at ONE 165 via unanimous decision. Then Adriano Moraes submitted him at ONE 169. The losses stung more than the physical damage.

Injuries and the birth of his second child kept him sidelined throughout 2025. The time away provided healing, rest, and perspective. Now Kingad returns with sharpened hunger that time away creates in fighters who still want it badly.

His resume speaks volumes. Eleven victories against the division’s best names since joining ONE Championship in 2016. He defeated current champion Yuya Wakamatsu in 2018, proving he belonged among flyweight elite before the Japanese star captured gold.

“Believe it or not, I really missed getting punched in the face,” he said. “I miss the adrenaline, getting a black eye in a wild fight. I just want that euphoric feeling again. It’s those little things. I’m feeling nothing but excitement. My last two fights didn’t go according to plan, so I’m hungry to redeem myself. I am pushing myself to the limits in training because I badly want to win this fight. Winning is the most important thing for me right now.”

Danny Kingad plans to exploit Hu Yong’s ground game weaknesses

Danny Kingad respects Hu Yong’s finishing power. The Chinese knockout artist dropped Geje Eustaquio and Eko Roni Saputra with devastating strikes that ended fights instantly.

But power means nothing when you’re underneath elite ground pressure. Kingad watched Hu’s decision losses and identified a pattern. Opponents who controlled him on the canvas and imposed suffocating top pressure found success.

The Filipino’s wushu background provides striking precision and fluidity. His evolving ground game creates options to change levels whenever openings appear. Kingad won’t stand and trade power shots with a trigger-happy striker when better paths exist.

This matchup also carries unfinished business. The pair were originally scheduled to fight at ONE Fight Night 15 in 2023. A foot injury forced Kingad to withdraw. He always knew they’d meet eventually.

Kingad competes as a father of two now. The motivation to perform and provide carries extra weight. Victory on February 13 opens the door for a $50,000 performance bonus in his comeback fight.

“He is a proven finisher. He has taken out a lot of big names over the years,” he said. “Then again, that’s the beauty of MMA. We’re not limited to one discipline. I know how good he is with his stand-up, so why not test his ground game? His decision losses were mostly due to his opponents controlling him with top pressure on the ground. I think I can also beat him in that area and impose my will. My conditioning is also an advantage.

“I’m relieved and excited that the match is finally happening. I got injured the last time, so this is a chance for me to display all the improvements I’ve made. I’ll give it my all.”