| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Danny Ittiw Kingad |
| Birthdate | September 28, 1995 (29 years and 81 days) |
| Hometown | Sadanga, Mountain Province, Philippines |
| Nickname | The King |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb) |
| Division | Flyweight, Bantamweight |
| Reach | 56 in (142 cm) |
| Style | Wushu |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting Out Of | Baguio, Philippines |
| Team | Team Lakay (until 2023), Lions Nation MMA (2023-present) |
| Years Active | 2014-present |
| Mixed Martial Arts Record | 19 matches, 15 wins, 4 losses |
Early Life in Sadanga and Education in Baguio
Danny Ittiw Kingad, born on September 28, 1995, in Sadanga, Mountain Province, is a proud Igorot and Filipino mixed martial artist. He is the youngest of five siblings in a close-knit family. Despite the strong bonds within his family, Kingad's childhood was marked by financial struggles as his parents faced challenges in finding steady employment. Nevertheless, he grew up with a deep appreciation for nature, enjoying simple pleasures like running, swimming, and spending time at the beach with friends.
Living in poverty often meant facing hunger, but Kingad reflects on his early years with gratitude. His resilience and resourcefulness during these formative years laid a foundation of strength and determination that would guide him through future challenges.
Family Tragedy and New Beginnings
At just eight years old, Kingad faced a life-changing loss when his father passed away. This painful experience left a deep mark on him, and he continues to find motivation in the stories his mother shares about his father. After the loss, Kingad's family situation shifted: his mother moved to live with his sister, while he moved in with his older brother, who became an important mentor.
With his brother's financial support and guidance, Kingad remained focused on his education and began attending the gym. This support allowed him to adjust to his new reality, even as he continued to navigate the impact of losing his father.
Teenage Rebellion and the Transformative Power of Martial Arts
As a teenager attending Pinsao National High School, Kingad initially strayed toward a lifestyle centered on parties, smoking, and drinking. At this critical juncture, his cousin introduced him to the art of wushu. Martial arts quickly became a constructive outlet, giving Kingad a new sense of purpose and discipline.
Under his cousin's encouragement, he trained rigorously, joining the varsity team and committing to daily routines that included running and wushu practice. Through wushu, Kingad found an effective way to channel his energy, moving away from his rebellious tendencies and developing the discipline he would carry forward into his MMA career.
University Training and Mentorship under Mark Sangiao
Kingad's talent in wushu earned him a spot on the University of the Cordilleras' wushu team, where he trained under the guidance of renowned coach Mark Sangiao. Sangiao, who also leads the prestigious Team Lakay, saw Kingad's potential and played a significant role in developing his skills and discipline. In 2015, Kingad achieved a major milestone by winning a regional wushu championship, marking a turning point in his athletic career.
While studying and training in Baguio, Kingad also started practicing grappling and other martial arts under Sangiao's direction. Inspired by Team Lakay veterans like Geje "Gravity" Eustaquio and Eduard "Landslide" Folayang, Kingad set his sights on a career in mixed martial arts, determined to achieve the same level of success as his peers.
Rise in ONE Championship and Establishing Himself as a Contender
After joining ONE Championship, Kingad's career quickly took off. His debut marked the beginning of a successful journey in the global MMA circuit, where he has compiled an impressive record and made a name as a determined and skilled fighter. His accomplishments and resilience in the ring have earned him respect among fans and fighters alike. Kingad currently competes in the Flyweight division for ONE Championship and continues to rise through the ranks, representing his Igorot heritage with pride.
A defining moment in Kingad's career was his match against Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Championship Finals. Although he lost, the fight highlighted his potential as a world-class contender. With youth on his side, Kingad has ample time to continue improving, and he remains focused on becoming a ONE Flyweight World Champion.
MMA Career
ONE Championship Debut and Early Success
Danny "The King" Kingad made his highly anticipated ONE Championship debut on April 15, 2016, at ONE: Global Rivals. He faced Muhamad Haidar and won the fight in dominant fashion via ground technical knockout in the first round, marking a strong start to his professional MMA career.
Kingad continued his momentum with another impressive victory, this time against Eugene Toquero at ONE: Age of Domination on December 2, 2016. He won the bout with a first-round armbar submission, showcasing his exceptional grappling skills.
Climbing the Ranks
On April 21, 2017, Kingad faced Muhammad Aiman at ONE: Kings of Destiny, where he won via unanimous decision, further solidifying his place as a rising star in the Flyweight division.
However, in a major step up, Kingad challenged Adriano Moraes for the ONE Flyweight World Championship at ONE: Legends of the World on November 10, 2017. Kingad put up a valiant effort but lost the fight by first-round rear-naked choke submission, suffering his first loss in the promotion.
Continued Success and Notable Wins
Kingad bounced back from the loss with a string of victories. On March 9, 2018, he faced Sotir Kichukov at ONE: Visions of Victory, winning by unanimous decision. He followed this with another decisive win over Ma Hao Bin at ONE: Pinnacle of Power on June 23, 2018, and a victory over Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE: Conquest of Heroes on September 22, 2018, both via unanimous decision.
In his next fight on January 25, 2019, at ONE: Hero's Ascent, Kingad defeated Tatsumitsu Wada, again winning by unanimous decision. These victories demonstrated Kingad's versatility and consistency, earning him a spot as one of the top contenders in the Flyweight division.
ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix
Kingad's career took a major turn when he entered the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix in 2019. He began his run in the quarterfinals against Andrew Leone at ONE: A New Era on March 31, 2019. When Leone was forced to withdraw due to injury, Kingad faced replacement Senzo Ikeda, winning via unanimous decision.
In the semifinals at ONE: Dawn of Heroes on August 2, 2019, Kingad faced Reece McLaren, replacing an injured Kairat Akhmetov. Kingad triumphed with a split decision victory, earning a spot in the Grand Prix final.
On October 13, 2019, at ONE: Century - Part 1, Kingad faced one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson, in the Grand Prix final. Despite a hard-fought battle, Kingad lost via unanimous decision, marking a setback in his journey to the world title.
Post-Grand Prix Era
After the Grand Prix, Kingad continued to prove himself in the ONE Championship Flyweight division. On January 31, 2020, at ONE: Fire & Fury, he defeated Xie Wei via unanimous decision, getting back on the winning track.
However, in December 2020, Kingad was scheduled to face Kairat Akhmetov at ONE: Big Bang, but the fight was postponed when Kingad's cornermen tested positive for COVID-19. The bout was rescheduled for ONE: Winter Warriors II on December 17, 2021, but Kingad suffered a unanimous decision loss to Akhmetov.
Recent Fights
Kingad's scheduled fight against Gurdarshan Mangat at ONE 164 in December 2022 was scrapped after Mangat withdrew due to injury. He then faced Eko Roni Saputra at ONE Fight Night 7 on February 25, 2023, where Kingad emerged victorious, winning via unanimous decision.
Kingad was scheduled to face Hu Yong at ONE Fight Night 15 on October 7, 2023, but he withdrew from the bout due to an ankle injury. Eko Roni Saputra replaced him for the fight.
Kingad's rematch against Yuya Wakamatsu is set for ONE 165 on January 28, 2024. The fight is crucial for Kingad as he seeks redemption after his previous loss to Wakamatsu, which ended with a unanimous decision loss.
Upcoming Fight: A Rematch with Adriano Moraes
Looking ahead, Kingad is scheduled to face Adriano Moraes in a rematch on November 9, 2024, at ONE 169. This fight is significant for Kingad as he looks to avenge his previous defeat and move one step closer to capturing the Flyweight World Championship.
Championships and Accomplishments
Mixed Martial Arts
ONE Championship:
- ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Tournament Runner-up (2019)
Danny Kingad reached the final of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix in 2019, finishing as the runner-up after competing against top fighters in the division.
Kickboxing
Southeast Asian Games:
- Bronze Medal, Men's Kickboxing Full Contact 60kg (2023)
Kingad earned a bronze medal in kickboxing at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in the Men's Kickboxing Full Contact 60kg category.
Mixed Martial Arts Record
Professional Record Breakdown
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 15-4 | Yuya Wakamatsu | Decision (unanimous) | ONE 165 | January 28, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 15-2 | Eko Roni Saputra | Decision (unanimous) | ONE Fight Night 7 | February 25, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
| Loss | 14-3 | Kairat Akhmetov | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Winter Warriors II | December 17, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Win | 14-2 | Xie Wei | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Fire & Fury | January 31, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | |
| Loss | 13-2 | Demetrious Johnson | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Century - Part 1 | October 13, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Final |
| Win | 13-1 | Reece McLaren | Decision (split) | ONE: Dawn of Heroes | August 2, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Semifinal |
| Win | 12-1 | Senzo Ikeda | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: A New Era | March 31, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal |
| Win | 11-1 | Tatsumitsu Wada | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Hero's Ascent | January 25, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | |
| Win | 10-1 | Yuya Wakamatsu | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Conquest of Heroes | September 22, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Jakarta, Indonesia | |
| Win | 9-1 | Ma Hao Bin | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Pinnacle of Power | June 23, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Beijing, China | |
| Win | 8-1 | Sotir Kichukov | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Visions of Victory | March 9, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Bantamweight debut |
| Loss | 7-1 | Adriano Moraes | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ONE: Legends of the World | November 10, 2017 | 1 | 4:45 | Pasay, Philippines | For the ONE Flyweight Championship |
| Win | 7-0 | Muhammad Aiman | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Kings of Destiny | April 21, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | |
| Win | 6-0 | Eugene Toquero | Submission (armbar) | ONE: Age of Domination | December 2, 2016 | 1 | 4:36 | Pasay, Philippines | |
| Win | 5-0 | Muhamad Haidar | TKO (punches) | ONE: Global Rivals | April 15, 2016 | 1 | 2:20 | Pasay, Philippines | |
| Win | 4-0 | Raymond Doliguez | Decision (unanimous) | PXC Laban: Baguio 4 | February 27, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Baguio, Philippines | |
| Win | 3-0 | Robin Catalan | Submission (armbar) | PXC Laban: Baguio 3 | October 18, 2015 | 2 | 4:21 | Baguio, Philippines | |
| Win | 2-0 | Jiar Castillo | Decision (unanimous) | Spartacus Combat MMA: Fight Night | October 24, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Manila, Philippines | |
| Win | 1-0 | Reymond Doliguez | Decision (unanimous) | Rock N' Rumble Year 2 | November 20, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Quezon City, Philippines | Flyweight debut |
Staying Grounded Through Family and Future Goals
Kingad's journey is not only about personal success but also about giving back to his family, particularly his mother and older brother, who supported him during his toughest times. He dreams of helping them and honoring the sacrifices they made for him, hoping to use his success as a platform to improve their lives.
Beyond his family, Kingad wants to inspire his community, showing others that challenges can be overcome through hard work and determination. His career aspirations are rooted in gratitude for those who helped him along the way, and he strives to be a role model for the next generation.
Looking Ahead with Determination and Purpose
Danny Kingad's story is a testament to resilience, discipline, and the importance of family support. From his humble beginnings in Sadanga and the financial struggles of his childhood to his rise as a respected MMA fighter, Kingad has faced each chapter with courage and dedication. His journey is a reminder of the power of perseverance and the impact of loved ones who believe in our potential.
As he moves forward, Kingad remains focused on his goals of becoming a world champion and helping his family. His journey serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges, showing that with hard work and a clear sense of purpose, it is possible to achieve greatness.
