ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykhin’s next fight is against “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane at ONE 173 on November 26, but he is mentoring the next generation of Russian fighters, including undefeated rising star Ibragim Dauev. The 24-year-old will face fellow unbeaten top contender Akbar Abdullaev in a featherweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Friday, September 5, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ibragim Dauev Eyes Statement Victory Over Perfect Abdullaev
The stakes couldn’t be higher as Ibragim Dauev squares off against the division’s No. 1-ranked contender, who brings a flawless 12-0 professional record and 100 percent finishing rate into the contest. The Kyrgyzstani phenom defeated current titleholder Tang Kai in January but was ineligible to win the belt due to missing weight, making this forthcoming clash a crucial proving ground for both fighters.
Ibragim Dauev enters riding a 10-fight winning streak, including recent decision victories over previously undefeated competitors Magomed Akaev and Pedro Dantas. The Russian has made a habit of handing world-class athletes their first career losses and looks to complete the trifecta against Abdullaev while potentially earning a ONE Featherweight MMA World Title shot.
Malykhin’s Guidance Opened Doors For Dauev to ONE
The mentorship between two-division MMA World Champion Malykhin and Dauev began when the younger fighter sought guidance for his career advancement. Malykhin’s immediate response and willingness to help proved instrumental in securing his protege’s opportunity with ONE Championship.
“I first reached out to Anatoly, asking for help with my fight. He responded immediately and suggested I contact Anita. He advised me. Together, they helped me get a fight in ONE Championship. He’s a great person: a reliable friend, a devoted family man, and an exceptional athlete to follow,” Dauev revealed.
The connection facilitated by Malykhin opened doors that transformed Ibragim Dauev’s career trajectory, leading him from regional competition to the global stage.
Brotherhood Beyond Fighting Defines Their Relationship
The relationship between mentor and protege has evolved into something deeper than typical training partnerships. Dauev, who is 11-1 in his MMA career, describes their bond as family-oriented, with mutual respect forming the foundation of their connection.
“His mentorship has influenced me in everything, both in and out of the ring. Right now, I think our relationship is like a brotherhood – we’re not just friends, but family. I respect him as my older brother, and he reciprocates my respect,” Dauev explained.
Training with Champions Breeds Championship Mentality
Working alongside Malykhin has provided invaluable inspiration for Ibragim Dauev’s own championship aspirations. The daily exposure to elite-level preparation and mindset has elevated his belief in achieving similar success.
“It’s always a pleasure to train side by side with a World Champion – you feel that you can become a champion yourself one day if you work just as hard. He’s going to have three belts – it’s going to happen,” Dauev predicted confidently.
ONE Fight Night 35 airs live on Prime Video on Friday, September 5. The action begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.
