McLaren replaces Akhmetov, faces Kingad in Flyweight Grand Prix

FILE PHOTO – Reece McLaren.

MANILA, Philippines—Rising Filipino MMA star Danny Kingad will be facing a different opponent in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix semifinals in Dawn of Heroes on August 2 at Mall of Asia Arena.

Kingad was supposed to clash with former flyweight champion Kairat Akhmetov but the Kazakh warrior had to withdraw due to an injury.

Instead, Kingad will be taking on Reece McLaren, ONE announced on Monday.

McLaren gets a second crack in the Flyweight Grand Prix and shock Kingad, who has been preparing meticulously for Akhmetov for a long time.

A brazilian black belt in jiu jitsu, the Australian has a lethal ground game with seven of his 12 wins coming by submission.

Meanwhile, Filipino Geje Eustaquio, a former ONE Flyweight World Champion, has also been added to the card.

Eustaquio will be taking on Yuya Wakamatsu in the undercard, making him the fifth Team Lakay warrior fighting in the card.

Eustaquio is coming off a unanimous decision win over Kim Kyu Sung at ONE: Enter the Dragon.