Danny “The King” Kingad will come in extra motivated for his rematch against Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes, but it’s not because he wants to get closer to a ONE World Title shot.
No, it’s bigger than that.
Losing one of his biggest supporters in his mother this past May, Kingad plans to win in honor of his biggest fan when he battles Moraes in a crucial flyweight tilt at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on November 9 inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
“The King’s” mother always supported him, from his time as a local stalwart to when he became a staple of ONE Championship’s flyweight division. And while this will be the first time she won’t be physically watching, Kingad knows she’ll be with him in spirit.
“I’m really motivated to win this fight for my mom. She’s always been supportive of me. She always supported me in this sport,” he said.
“Sometimes she’d just say, ‘I don’t care if you get hit, the most important thing is you win!’ That’s how I’m motivating myself.”
Kingad’s mom passed away in May due to multiple complications from various illnesses, and the Lions Nation MMA representative revealed that it’s a loss he’ll probably carry for the rest of his life.
But his mother’s passing reminded him to make every moment count with those still with him today.
“Of course, I’m still hurt. I don’t think it will ever go away. But I have to accept that it was really her time,” he said.
“It reminded me of our mortality, that our loved ones aren’t going to be here forever. So it’s all about cherishing every moment.
“I’m just happy to be her son. She raised me well.”
With how Kingad turned out – a fine young man with discipline and determination – there’s no question that he was raised well by his mother.
Now building a family of his own, Kingad can only hope to be like her as he raises a son.
“Hard work [is the characteristic I most want to emulate]. My parents have always been hard workers, and it’s something I always keep in mind when providing for my family,” he said.
“I’ve seen how my mother supported us through the years, and it’s something that I hope to be for my family.”
