Third-ranked flyweight contender Danny “The King” Kingad knows that he has his work cut out for him when he takes on Eko Roni Saputra at ONE Fight Night 7: Lineker vs. Andrade II on 25 February at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Saputra has been on a red-hot run in the ONE Circle, winning his last seven fights by finishes.
One thing that Kingad needs to look out for is the Indonesian’s wrestling, an aspect of the game that has given the Evolve MMA representative one of the most impressive active streaks in the promotion today.
But the Team Lakay star is unfazed, as he even plans to try and out-wrestle his foe.
“I’ll meet him in the middle of the Circle. I’ll try his wrestling, and if he can’t impose his will on me, then I’ll be the one taking the fight to him and trying to take him down,” he said.
“If he can’t take me down, then it will be me doing the takedowns.”
While Kingad is confident that he can hang with Saputra in wrestling, he knows that the Indonesian has no chance elsewhere.
“If this remains on the feet, I believe that I’m really at an advantage. He’s a wrestler, [but] I know my striking is better. So more or less, expect me to try and strike with him,” Kingad said.
Kingad believes that save for his opponent’s grappling, there’s really nothing that can trouble him in this match.
“For me, I have to focus on my wrestling defense. Should he get me down, I have to make sure I can get back up and take advantage of my striking,” he said.
“I really don’t know where he’ll challenge me. I think at the end of the day he’ll have a hard time wherever this match goes.
“I’ll be aiming for the knockout, but the most important thing is to win. I have to win this fight.”
