Amir Aliakbari put himself in a position to challenge for the ONE Heavyweight World Champion at ONE Fight Night 12 with his first-round submission finish over Dustin Joynson. However, reigning king Anatoly Malykhin was not impressed by his showing. Malykhin told ONE Championship he thinks Aliakbari believes his own hype after wins over Brandon Vera and Mauro Cerilli.
“Then, he beat this guy [Joynson], whose wrestling is… well, he hasn’t even read a book about wrestling. These are all convenient opponents, all three opponents after losses. And it gave him enough faith in himself to challenge the champion to a fight. I’m only happy. It’s easy money for me, and I’ll be ready,” Malykhin told ONE.
After Aliakbari’s win, the two went eye-to-eye inside the ring. After a small shoving match, the stage seemed set for their renewed rivalry. But “Sladiky” merely sees the future matchup as easy money and another quick finish over the Iranian.
“Watching his last fight, I see he moves like he’s underwater. He’s very slow, just dragging the fight. Well, if this guy thinks that he will be able to take me down and finish me from the crucifix like he did with others, then he is very delusional. After two or three of my punches, he’ll just go to sleep,” Malykhin stated simply.
When or where could the rematch take place? A Middle East date has been rumored for later in 2023. Aliakbari has stated his wish for an event in the region, and Malykhin is more than happy to show up to grow his fanbase with another massive finish.
“Yes, I think I would love to fight in Qatar! I could show a beautiful fight, as I always go out of my way to please the audience, to put on a show. I would be remembered by the local audience 100 percent with my beautiful knockout,” Malykhin said.
But Aliakbari is not the only heavyweight in his crosshairs. The Russian star also broke down the upcoming boxing match between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. It is a contest that Malykhin believes has little impact on either spot, as he expects Fury to dominate the former UFC champion.
But an MMA matchup against Ngannou does intrigue “Sladkiy”. Malykhin wants to take out another champion and prove himself in the biggest fights possible. And he does not believe Ngannou stands a chance in the hypothetical matchup of titans.
“As for an MMA match against Ngannou, it would be an interesting opposition – the champions of the best leagues in the world, ONE and UFC, clashing on an international stage. I would prove that the heavyweights in ONE are the strongest heavyweights in the world. I think I would win a fight with Ngannou easily. Very easily,” Malykhin said.
