“Everything is possible” - Anatoly Malykhin says it’s his life journey, not his belts, that he wants people to look for as motivation
Anatoly Malykhin is a prime example of never giving up on one's dreams.
The three-division MMA world champion pushed through ridicule, hardship, and Russia's unforgiving athletic circuit to become one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet.
In an interview with ONE Championship, Malykhin reflected on the difficult journey he marched on through to become the reigning ONE middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight MMA world champion.
The Master of Sport in Freestyle Wrestling said he wants people to look at his life, not just his glittering trophy case, as motivation to achieve their goals.
Anatoly Malykhin said:
"I wish to leave a legacy not in the form of my belts or triple championship, but the path I have walked in this life. So that people can see that everything is possible, an ordinary guy can [do great things]."
Malykhin was largely a brawling prospect before he arrived at ONE Championship in 2021 with a perfect 8-0 record.
He's since bumped that perfect mark to 14-0 after racking up six straight knockout wins against Alexandre Machado, Amir Aliakbari, Kirill Grishenko, Arjan Bhullar, and Reinier de Ridder twice.
Malykhin now heads to his first world title defense when he puts the ONE heavyweight MMA world championship on the line against Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane in the main event of ONE 169.
The Russian superstar's world title match against 'Reug Reug' will go down at the historic Lumpinee Stadium on Nov. 8, US primetime.
ONE 169 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
Anatoly Malykhin credits John Hutchinson for his wall-shattering power
Anatoly Malykhin may have started his athletic life within Russia's wrestling circuit, but 'Sladkiy' found out that his boxing is almost second to none.
Malykhin's perfect 6-0 record in ONE Championship featured six straight knockouts, and the Russian mauler credits his devastating punching power to his coach John Hutchinson.
The Irish tactician is Tiger Muay Thai's head boxing coach, and he's also been Malykhin's main voice in his corner.
In an interview with ONE Championship, Malykhin said it was Hutchinson who perfected his boxing as he wreaked havoc in the promotion.
"My right arm. Yes, my coach John Hutchinson is the main component. Nobody else has him, only I have him, that’s why we put everybody on their as*es."