Kingad thinks he would beat Johnson in a rematch

FILE – Danny Kingad, right, loses to Demetrious Johnson by unanimous decision in their Flyweight World Grand Prix Championship Final in ONE: Century on Sunday, October 13, 2019, at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. Photo from ONE Championship

MANILA, Philippines — Danny Kingad lost to Demetrious Johnson the first time they fought three months ago in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Final.

Kingad fell by unanimous decision to Johnson, who remained undefeated at 3-0 since moving to ONE Championship late in 2018.

The rising Filipino star, however, the result will be much different if he gets another crack at Johnson, who many consider as the greatest mixed martial artist ever.

“I can take his power but he has the advantage in speed and experience,” Kingad told reporters in Filipino on Tuesday during the ONE: Fire & Fury open workout at One Esplanade in Pasay City.

“But if they give me a rematch, I think I can handle him,” a confident Kingad added.

The 24-year-old Kingad may have failed to pull off the upset but he certainly didn’t make it easy for Johnson, who lauded the Team Lakay warrior for his toughness.

But before a potential second shot at Johnson down the road, Kingad will have to take care of business first against China’s Xie Wei in the undercard of Fire & Fury at Mall of Asia Arena.