A pivotal flyweight MMA match was witnessed by fight fans on Friday night, as former ONE flyweight MMA world champion Adriano Moraes and Filipino MMA standout Danny Kingad faced each other for the second time at ONE 169.
Moraes and Kingad thrilled the fans inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The winner was guaranteed a spot to fight for the vacant ONE flyweight MMA world title, which the legendary Demetrious Johnson recently relinquished.
See the blow-by-blow action from this thrilling flyweight MMA bout.
Round 1: Moraes took Kingad down the canvas in the opening phase of the match, but Kingad defended well and was able to stand up. Once on the feet, Kingad turned the tables and put Moraes on his back.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Moraes tried to sneak in a tricky armbar submission, but Kingad was able to counter it perfectly with thunderous punches from his left hand. The two continued to battle on the ground until Moraes once again reversed the position on top.
The Brazilian superstar attempted an arm triangle in the waning seconds of the round, but the Filipino contender fended it off to end the round in a neutral position.
Round 2: Kingad started the second frame with a flurry of combinations of punches and kicks to pressure Moraes onto the ropes. Moraes tried to initiate a clinch battle, but Kingad countered with a beautiful knee strike.
Moraes answered with a solid overhand right that stunned Kingad momentarily. The action was halted with an accidental low blow that Moraes landed in an aerial exchange at the middle of the ring.
When the match resumed, Moraes caught Kingad with a beautiful takedown. He utilized the position with ground and pound strikes and several transitions into a potential submission technique.
Kingad tried to sweep Moraes with a kimura sweep, but the former ONE flyweight MMA king quickly took advantage and grabbed the exposed neck of Kingad to squeeze in a Guillotine choke that forced a tap out of Kingad.
ONE 169 - Adriano Moraes vs. Danny Kingad official result
Current number one-ranked flyweight MMA contender Adriano Moraes has collected his 15th victory in ONE Championship after reasserting his mastery over Danny Kingad in their flyweight MMA rematch with a second-round submission finish.
The American Top Team representative banked on his superior grappling skills to power him to maintain his place at the top of the weight class. Before the finish, Moares had already threatened with several submissions, but the Lions Nation MMA representative was able to defend it.
However, the inevitable happened at the last minute of the second frame, when the Brazilian submission artist finally secured the win with a Guillotine choke.
Adriano Moraes defeated Danny Kingad via second-round submission in their flyweight MMA fight.