Danny Kingad unfazed by foe replacement ahead of ONE flyweight grand prix semis

Danny Kingad to face Reece McLaren on the undercard of ONE: Dawn of Heroes on August 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. PHOTO COURTESY ONE CHAMPIONSHIP

Filipino flyweight prospect Danny Kingad is too focused in training to worry about a replacement of opponent ahead of the ONE flyweight world grand prix semi-finals.

The 23-year-old from Baguio City was originally scheduled to square-off with former ONE flyweight world champion Kairat Akhmetov, but the latter had to withdraw from the tournament after he suffered an injury.

The recent development has led Kingad into getting a new opponent in former world title challenger Reece McLaren on the undercard of ONE: Dawn of Heroes on August 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

"All I can say is the training is the same because they're both a wrestler and jiu-jitsu practitioner," said Kingad.

"The game plan is the same; strike and defend should it go the ground. I will do my best to keep the fight standing though there's a slight change in my game plan."

The Filipino-Australian McLaren was eliminated from the prestigious tourney when he lost by way of unanimous decision against Akhmetov in quarter-finals this past March.

Yet despite the loss, Kingad is convinced that his new opponent is just as good as Akhmetov, as he knows better than to underestimate the challenge in front of him.

"I think they're the same. They're on the same level which is why I'm training really hard," he told.

"He is very technical on the ground which is why I'll try to avoid a grappling match. There would be no problem in striking because that's my game plan."

Kingad has nothing but high regards for McLaren, who has faced some of the best and biggest names in the ONE Championship roster. A former bantamweight contender, the young phenom however feels that McLaren was a better athlete in the upper weight class.

"I think he was stronger at bantamweight, but since he went down to flyweight I think I am stronger than him here. I have more power than him in this division," Kingad explained.

"That's my advantage over him. Just in case that the fight goes to the mat, I always have something to show that he is yet to see."

Kingad in his past few bouts was bent on getting a knockout finish that he has been working hard for for many months. He is willing to let it go against McLaren, as he stressed the importance of getting a win over a highlight reel finish.

"Be it by knockout, submission or decision, the target is to win," he quipped. "My sole target is to get the victory." — BAP, GMA News