Skip to main content »
Igorotage

Danny Kingad

Read the full biography of Danny Kingad, his MMA career, record, achievements, and rise in ONE Championship.

 |  10 min read

Discover Danny Kingad's biography, from his early career to his current status as a ONE Championship flyweight. Photo: ONE Championship
Attribute Details
Full Name Danny Ittiw Kingad
Birthdate September 28, 1995 (29 years and 74 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

Danny Kingad Photo: ONE Championship

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.

Photo: ONE Championship

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.

Photo: ONE Championship

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.

Danny Kingad Photo: ONE Championship

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.

Photo: ONE Championship

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.

Photo: ONE Championship

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.

Photo: ONE 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.

Photo: ONE Championship

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.


Sharing is caring, kailian!

We do hope you find something great in this story. If you find this helpful, please do share it with the people you care about.


Igorotage is a platform for people to share their thoughts and ideas. The views expressed on Igorotage are the opinions of the individual users, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Igorotage.

Comments

Sign in to share your thoughts. No account yet?

What to learn next?

You might also like to read more related articles filed under Biographies — or jump to a random article!

Biographies Surprise me

Hector Begeo

Hector Begeo, the legendary first Igorot Olympian, excelled in three straight Olympic Games. Read his inspiring biography and achievements.

Aug 27 · 8 min read

Eduard Folayang

Read Eduard Folayang's biography, detailing his rise from poverty to becoming a respected figure in the world of martial arts.

Aug 18 · 15 min read

James "Payko" Bagano Pooten II

Read the biography of James "Payko" Pooten II, former mayor of Sagada, and find out about his life, achievements, and impact on local governance.

Aug 1 · 3 min read

Islay Erika Bomogao Wins ONE Championship Debut

Islay Erika Bomogao secures a unanimous decision victory on her debut at ONE Championship's Lumpinee Stadium, showcasing her Muay Thai expertise.

Nov 8 · 4 min read

Carlos Alvarez: A Strong Comeback with TKO Win at ONE Friday Fights 86

Carlos Alvarez secures a dominant TKO win at ONE Friday Fights 86, marking his strong comeback after a previous loss in ONE Friday Fights 43.

Nov 8 · 2 min read

Islay Erika Bomogao Joins ONE Championship

Islay Erika Bomogao, an Igorot Muay Thai champ, joins ONE Championship after dominating IFMA rankings and earning gold at international events.

Oct 24 · 3 min read

Godwin Amos Langbayan: Igorot Wins 2 Gold Medals at World Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Godwin Amos Langbayan, the first Igorot world champion, wins 2 gold medals at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Japan.

Sep 26 · 3 min read

Bernadette Sembrano

Did you know that Bernadette Sembrano, a renowned broadcast journalist, is proudly Igorot? Discover her distinguished career in Philippine media.

Sep 9 · 10 min read

Jean Claude Saclag Makes a Stunning ONE Championship Debut

Igorot fighter Jean Claude Saclag makes an impressive ONE Championship debut with a stunning TKO win against Lee Jun Young at Lumpinee Stadium.

Sep 6 · 2 min read

Danny Kingad Steps Up High-Altitude Training for Adriano Moraes Rematch at ONE 169

ONE 169: Danny Kingad, an Igorot flyweight contender, steps up high-altitude training for his rematch with Adriano Moraes on November 8.

Aug 23 · 3 min read