Danny Kingad of the Philippines during his match against Xie Wei of China for the ONE Championship “Fire and Fury” event held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on January 31, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA -- Heading into a crucial stretch in his mixed martial arts career, Filipino fighter Danny "The King" Kingad is seeking to banish the ghosts of the past in search for a much-needed breakthrough.

Now ranked third in the flyweight division, Kingad takes on top-ranked Adriano Moraes at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug this Saturday, November 9, inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

It will be a rematch of their title clash in 2017, wherein Moraes outclassed Kingad. The Filipino fighter admits that he was "blinded by the lights" at the time, second-guessing himself against a top-tier opponent and thus paying for it dearly. Moraes submitted him in the very first round.

READ: Danny Kingad, Adriano Moraes set for rematch at ONE 169

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"Back then, I'll have to admit -- I wasn't really ready for him," Kingad acknowledges now.

"I wasn't confident," he added. "I was in there just trying to survive. While of course I was there to win, I didn't fully believe that I can beat him."

Seven years on, Kingad has a different mindset.

"Now, it's different. It's really different," he vowed. "I'm coming there knowing that I can beat them. I'm confident that with everything that I've learned through these years, the experience that I've gained, it's going to be an entirely different story."

Kingad has a chance not only to even the score with Moraes -- he can also silence critics who have always questioned his ability to finish fights as well as his tendency to falter in big moments.

"The King" believes he now has the opportunity to shatter those notions, should he emerge triumphant against one of the best flyweights to step foot inside the ONE Championship cage.

"I'm confident in my capabilities. I've been working on my hands, adding power, adding new techniques, and I believe I can knock him out. I believe I can get that knockout win this time," he said.  

"But I won't be rushing into it, I won't be chasing a knockout. But if the opportunity presents itself, I know how to make the most of it this time," he added.  

"At the end of the night, I see myself getting my hands raised." 

The bout between Kingad and Moraes is part of a busy weekend for Filipino fighters, with several local talents seeing action at ONE Friday Fights 86 and ONE 169.

READ: Filipino fighters set for busy weekend in ONE Championship