Danny Kingad Returns To ONE Fight Night 40 With Redemption On Mind
Danny Kingad was once on the cusp of flyweight gold. A decade of elite competition earned him victories over division kingpins, positioned him for championship opportunities, and established him among the promotion’s most durable warriors. Then back-to-back defeats arrived for the first time in his career — losses to Yuya Wakamatsu and Adriano Moraes that stalled his title pursuit completely.
Now the 30-year-old Filipino veteran returns after injuries and the arrival of his second child kept him sidelined throughout 2025. Kingad faces Chinese knockout artist Hu Yong in a crucial flyweight MMA clash at ONE Fight Night 40: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger II on Prime Video on Friday, February 13, live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. The time away only sharpened his hunger for victory.
“Believe it or not, I really missed getting punched in the face,” Kingad 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.”
That desperate hunger meets equally urgent need when he faces Hu, a proven finisher carrying knockout victories over former divisional king Geje Eustaquio and Eko Roni Saputra. The Chinese striker brings fight-ending power that makes him a constant threat, but Kingad sees a clear path to neutralize the trigger-happy stand-up specialist.
“He is a proven finisher,” Kingad explained. “He has taken out a lot of big names over the years. 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.”
The matchup carries unfinished business beyond their mutual desperation. The pair were originally scheduled to meet at ONE Fight Night 15 in 2023, but a foot injury forced Kingad to withdraw. The Lions Nation MMA representative always knew they’d meet again — at this pivotal moment in both careers, the timing couldn’t be better.
“I’m relieved and excited that the match is finally happening,” Kingad said. “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.”
While the Filipino understands he needs a statement finish to prove he remains elite, he refuses to make bold proclamations against a fighter of Hu’s caliber. His relentless motor and bottomless gas tank allow him to grind opponents down, getting stronger as rounds tick by. His wushu background bolsters his striking precision and fluidity, while his evolving ground game gives him options to change levels at will.
“I want a finish, of course, but realistically, I see this one going the full three rounds,” Kingad said. “We’re both tough to finish, so it’s a matter of who imposes his game plan. I’m not afraid to strike with him, but if there are openings, I will go after those takedowns. It’s just a bonus for me if I get to submit him or finish him via ground-and-pound.”
The stakes extend beyond simply snapping his losing streak. Now a father of two, Kingad carries extra motivation to perform and provide. Victory on February 13 also opens the opportunity for a $50,000 performance bonus in his comeback fight.
“I’m always motivated,” Kingad said. “Especially now, the stakes are higher. I just really want to win. It’s been a while. So I won’t force it, I believe that bonus will come at the right time. Expect that this will be an explosive fight. We’re both coming off losses, and we’re both hungry. I’m very excited to do what I do best and get my career back on track.”
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