Danny Kingad has spent his time away from the ring realizing just how much he misses the experience of combat.
The 30-year-old Filipino fighter plans to satisfy that craving when he faces China's Hu Yong in a flyweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 40 on February 14.
"The King" from Lions Nation MMA will meet the Chinese star at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, in a matchup where both fighters carry two-fight losing streaks and desperate need for victory.
Kingad's 11-5 promotional record includes consecutive defeats to current ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya Wakamatsu and former champion Adriano Moraes, representing setbacks against the division's highest caliber opposition.
His layoff provided unexpected clarity about what drives him as a competitor, revealing an honest appreciation for fighting's harsh realities.
"Believe it or not, I really missed getting punched in the face. I miss the adrenaline, getting a black eye in a wild fight. I just want that euphoric feeling again. It's those little things," the Filipino veteran admitted.
The Valentine's Day bout carries significant weight for re-establishing Kingad's position in the flyweight rankings after losses that temporarily halted his title trajectory.
"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," Kingad declared.
Hu Yong brings an 8-3 promotional record into this crucial matchup, having also dropped his previous two bouts. The 30-year-old Chinese fighter shares Kingad's desperation to avoid a third consecutive loss that would significantly impact his divisional standing.
When outlining his game plan, Kingad expressed confidence in his complete MMA skill set while remaining opportunistic about how victory materializes.
"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 Filipino fighter stated.
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