ONE Championship: How Danny Kingad’s gameplan must change against Reece McLaren
By Amy Kaplan
How Danny Kingad’s gameplan must change against Reece McLaren at ONE: DAWN OF HEROES on Aug. 2.
Last-minute changes are something Danny Kingad is going to have to deal with in his upcoming bout. Because of an injury to Kairat Ahkmetov, Kingad will now face Reece McLaren in the semifinals of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix on Aug. 2, 2019, in Manilla at ONE: DAWN OF HEROES.
The same thing happened to Kingad in the quarterfinal round when his original opponent, Andrew Leone, got injured and had to be replaced by Senzo Ikeda. Ahkmetov defeated McLaren via unanimous decision in the quarterfinals, but because of the injury, McLaren will have to take his place.
For the second straight bout, Kingad will have to adjust his game plan for a new foe. Will this become an easier matchup or will the different style create a problem for Kingad?
Here are the things Kingad now has to prepare for against McLaren.
More length
It appears Kingad will have a much easier matchup with McLaren. However, McLaren is a taller opponent and has a longer reach. Traditionally, that would be an issue mostly in striking, or if McLaren was working off of his back.
The striking shouldn’t be a significant concern for Kingad unless McLaren uses the jab as a range-finder, an ability he hasn’t shown throughout most of his career. McLaren’s length probably won’t be a huge concern for Kingad who is the faster, more powerful, and explosive martial artist.
Submissions are still the key strength
Both Ahkmetov and McLaren bring dangerous submission skills into the ONE circle. However, McLaren’s length could potentially make him more of a threat working off his back. Kingad loves to deliver strikes from the top position, but McLaren may look to use triangles or armbars.
McLaren is one of the most prolific submission guys in his weight region, but you could argue that part of his game isn’t as formidable as Ahkmetov’s. Ahkmetov uses striking to create openings for him to grapple. With McLaren, it’s a one-sided approach.
More vulnerability to strikes and less power
McLaren has had issues in the past when he is standing for prolonged periods. His striking defense and reflexes are a bit dull — something we’ve seen exposed on several occasions, notably when he was blasted and finished by former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin Belingon. The bigger weight class could have had an effect on McLaren, but he proves to be a bit sturdier in a smaller division.
Kingad and Belingon are both members of Team Lakay, so there’s no denying that the two exchanged notes on McLaren. It will also be difficult for McLaren to compete against a motivated Kingad who will have the Manila crowd cheering him on.