HAVING QUALIFIED for ONE Championship’s Flyweight World Grand Prix with a convincing victory in his last outing, Filipino mixed martial arts fighter Danny “The King” Kingad looks to make the most out of it as he sets his sight on another title shot.
A unanimous decision victor over Japanese Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada a fortnight ago here in Manila at “ONE: Hero’s Ascent,” Team Lakay’s Kingad further solidified his standing as one of the top players in his division to earn a spot in the highly anticipated fight series.
The 23-year-old Kingad (9-1) said he is very excited to be thrust in such a position he is currently in and has began work as he tries to fulfill his dream of becoming a world champion.
“I’m very excited to showcase my talent against the best in my division. My hard work paid off, but this is just the beginning,” said Mr. Kingad in the aftermath of his latest victory, his fourth straight in ONE.
“Expect me to double my efforts and to train harder now that I’m already part of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix,” he added.
To be pitted against top talents, which now include MMA superstar Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, the challenge is not lost to Mr. Kingad, saying the setup merits nothing but his best.
“I’m looking forward to fighting the top talent and earning that world title. I think everybody has a right to earn their spot, and I’m here to earn my spot,” said Mr. Kingad.
Adding, “I’ll do my best and give my everything in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix.”
Aside from Mr. Johnson, other potential opponents for Mr. Kingad in the Grand Prix are Reece “Lighting” McLaren, Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu, former division kingpin Kairat Akhmetov and even Team Lakay stablemate and former champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio.
Currently holding the ONE World Flyweight title is Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes of Brazil.
NEW OFFICIAL
Meanwhile, ONE Championship recently named Meghan Jenkins as the company’s new vice-president international.
In her new position, Ms. Jenkins, formerly in the employ of the National Basketball Association, is tasked to develop and expand ONE’s businesses internationally and drive key strategic initiatives in new markets. She officially begins holding office next month.
“I am thrilled to be joining ONE Championship. My experience over the last decade working to build the NBA into a global sports leader will be invaluable as I embark on this new challenge and help take ONE Championship to the next level,” said Ms. Jenkins.
“Having spent the last few years focused on identifying opportunities across the Asia-Pacific region, it is clear to me that there is significant untapped potential in Asia’s massive and growing sports media market and ONE Championship is uniquely positioned to capture a large portion of it. I look forward to joining [ONE CEO] Chatri [Sityodtong] and the rest of ONE’s leadership team as we work to build ONE Championship into a global sports powerhouse,” she added.
Before joining the NBA, Ms. Jenkins was an investment banker in J.P. Morgan’s Industrials and Transportation group in New York. Ms. Jenkins graduated with an MBA from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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