“He lives in constant fear” - Anatoly Malykhin takes aim at ‘Reug Reug’s supposed sloppy footwork
Anatoly Malykhin is not impressed with Oumar Kane's sloppy footwork.
After scoring a stunning victory over 17-time BJJ world champion Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida, Kane, better known by fight fans as 'Reug Reug', will step into the main event spotlight at ONE 169 on Friday, Nov. 8 when he meets reigning three-division king Malykhin for the ONE heavyweight MMA world championship.
Thus far, 'Reug Reug' is an impressive 6-1 in his mixed martial arts career with highlight-reel knockouts against Alain Ngalani, Patrick Schmid, and Batradz Gazzaev under the ONE Championship banner.
However, as solid as Kane has looked since making his promotional debut nearly four years ago, Malykhin is none-too-impressed with the Senegalese sensation. Speaking to ONE Championship, the Russian juggernaut said:
"This guy is always scared, he lives in constant fear. He steps over himself in [all] of his fights, his every [walk] to the ring takes excessive effort."
It will be the first-ever meeting between Anatoly Malykhin and 'Reug Reug' as ONE Championship is set to deliver one of its biggest events of 2024.
Anatoly Malykhin vs. 'Reug Reug' headlines a loaded ONE 169 card in Bangkok
Emanating from the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, Malykhin vs. Kane will be just the tip of the iceberg at ONE 169.
Fight fans will be treated to three massive ONE world title tilts, including the return of reigning ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
'The Iron Man' will put his 26 pounds of gold on the line against Jacob Smith in a rematch more than two years in the making.
Also on tap is an inaugural ONE strawweight kickboxing world championship clash as two of the heaviest hitters in women's combat sports —Anissa Meksen and Jackie Buntan — battle it out for the division's top prize.
Which ONE 169 title fight are you most excited to see when the promotion heads back to the Mecca of Muay Thai?
Fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 169: Malykhin vs. ‘Reug Reug’ live on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, Nov. 8 in U.S. primetime.