For the past few years, Anatoly Malykhin has created a strong legacy for himself. In 2022, the Russian MMA star won his first ever undisputed professional title at ONE on Prime Video 5 when he starched then two-division champion Reinier de Ridder in a single round, taking the middleweight belt.
In his very next fight, he fought and knocked out Arjan Bhullar in 2023 to unify the company’s heavyweight titles after winning the interim heavyweight strap a year earlier. Then, in a history-making performance, Anatoly Malykhin crossed paths again with de Ridder in 2024, who held the light heavyweight championship, and for a second time, defeated the Dutchman by stoppage.
This led to him gaining wide-spread notoriety as the first man to ever win three titles in three different weight classes in a major mixed martial arts organization.
A Shocking Defeat For Anatoly Malykhin
At this point in time, Anatoly Malykhin was seemingly in the prime of his career, having etched himself in the annals of combat sports history, where, even now, he still stands alone.
Going into the first defense of his heavyweight gold at ONE 169 last month, “Sladkiy” was expected to make easy work of the challenger, Oumar Kane, better known by his nickname “Reug Reug.” Tragically, following a very close and competitive fight, it was the Senegal-born striker who walked away with the title with a controversial split decision, handing Malykhin his first loss.
HEAVY LEATHER thrown by our heavyweight headliners 🥊🔥
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Anatoly Malykhin Gearing Up to Take Back Championship
Although he may have dropped both his belt and his undefeated record on the same evening, Anatoly Malykhin remains in good spirits. Speaking with ONE Championship, the Russian reflects upon all that happened to him this year, while stating his intention to take back his 265-lb throne.
“It was an amazing year. I’m grateful for every year and every challenge that comes my way in life. I live each day with happiness, and I’m thankful to ONE Championship and Mr. Chatri Sityodtong (ONE Championship CEO) for their work and attitude toward me,” Anatoly Malykhin began. “In 2025, I’ll reclaim my throne.”
For his first order of business of the new year, Malykhin eyes a rematch with Kane, believing since their first meeting was down-to-the-wire, a second bout is necessary to find out who is truly the better fighter.
“In 2025, I want to focus on the heavyweight division,” Malykhin said. “Of course, “Reug Reug” is at the top of my list. I think a rematch with him is inevitable because our first fight was so close. We need a second fight to settle it.”
Anatoly Malykhin Eager To Defend After Winning Heavyweight Strap
If he is victorious in his hypothetical runback with Kane, Anatoly Malykhin will then shift his focus to defending his titles, regardless of who the promotion pits him up against.
“After that, I want to defend my belt twice,” he said. Whoever One Championship decides to match me with, I’ll fight. I never back down from a challenge.”
At the time of this writing, no official announcement has been made by ONE with regards to a second contest between Anatoly Malykhin and Oumar Kane. However, a rematch between these two 265-lb titans is certainly one of the metaphorical and literal biggest fights that the company can put on at the moment.
