MMA

Danny Kingad reflects on his win over Saputra: Team Lakay is not strikers only

Former world title challenger Danny Kingad of Team Lakay is joyful that he got to show his grappling when he defeated Eko Roni Saputra at ONE Fight Night 7 this past weekend at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Kingad, 15-3 as a professional mixed martial artist, showcased that he was better than the Indonesian wrestler in every aspect of MMA when he got the upper hand in the striking and grappling department.

“Our game plan was really focused on striking originally, but I saw that I can stay ahead of him in both striking and wrestling. When he gave me the opening to take him down, I just went for it because I was able to grab a hold of his body and that’s when I decided to do it,” Kingad said.

“We were in a clinch, and he was trying to take me down. I tried to take him down as well and it came to my mind that I could easily do it, even if he is a wrestler. When I was able to lift him, I knew I could take down a wrestler like him.”

Kingad’s superb display ultimately earned him a clear-cut unanimous decision nod over Saputra after three five-minute rounds. According to the Filipino, it was proof enough that Team Lakay fighters are far from being one-dimensional strikers.

“We really did prepare for all aspects. Wrestling, striking, ground game, I should really be prepared for all those things so I can still continue fighting regardless of where the fight goes,” he stated.

“We were keen to prove that Team Lakay is not just a strikers-only gym. Ground game, wrestling, striking, all of that, we have it now and we can do it in the circle or in the ring. I proved in my fight that we can do all aspects of MMA.”

—JMB, GMA Integrated News