Anatoly Malykhin reveals the only thing he’s worried about against ‘Reug Reug’: “Losing your shorts!”
Three-division MMA world champion Anatoly Malykhin believes there's a huge disparity in skill between him and his next challenger Oumar Kane. Needless to say, the Russian destroyer is the least bit worried about anything 'Reug Reug' brings to the table.
However, if there's one thing that Malykhin finds worrisome, it's the Senegalese giant's tendency to grab on to an opponent's shorts and gloves during grappling exchanges — which, of course, goes against the rules.
In an exclusive interview with ONE, Malykhin jokingly claimed that the only thing he fears is getting a wardrobe malfunction in their main event clash at ONE 169.
"He only pulls down the shorts of his opponents in every fight and gets hold of their gloves, this is what he does well. This is his thing, this is what he does well. This is what you need to be afraid of and avoid: losing your shorts!"
Anatoly Malykhin is pertaining to 'Reug Reug's victory over Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida last year, where he was warned several times by the referee for grabbing the shorts.
Errant fouls aside, the 32-year-old powerhouse showcased improved striking and grappling en route to a dominant decision win, which also snapped Buchecha's undefeated MMA run.
Anatoly Malykhin says 'Reug Reug' is delusional for thinking he can win via KO
This coming November 8, live in US Primetime from Bangkok's legendary Lumpinee Stadium, Malykhin will look to defend his heavyweight MMA world title for the first time.
The triple champion hasn't met an adversary he couldn't finish in 14 career fights and is confident about extending that streak against the formidable Kane.
Asked about 'Reug Reug's threats about putting him to sleep, Anatoly Malykhin simply laughed in amusement. 'Sladkiy' said in the same ONE Championship interview:
"This guy is utterly helpless. As I have already said, he is a fitness fighter. He lacks knockout power, has never shaken anybody, never knocked down anybody, but keeps saying he would knock me out!"
Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 169: Malykhin vs Reug Reug free of charge.