'Hungry' Anatoly Malykhin refuses to bask in the glory of his triple champ feat: "I don't think about my belts"
To three-division MMA world champion Anatoly Malykhin, there's little time to enjoy his unprecedented feat as long as he continues to lace on the four-ounce gloves and produce magic on the global stage of ONE Championship.
'Sladkiy' makes his return to the Circle in the main event of ONE 169, which emanates live from the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 8. The undefeated Russian slugger defends his ONE heavyweight MMA world title against Senegalese powerhouse 'Reug Reug' Oumar Kane.
In his last appearance in the promotion, he enjoyed an early night in the office against Reinier de Ridder in Qatar to capture the middleweight gold and become the first triple champ in MMA.
In an interview with ONE Championship, Anatoly Malykhin was asked whether there are days when he just sits down, relax, and thinks back about all he has achieved.
In response, the 36-year-old offered:
"Now I'm hungry, and I don't think about my belts and achievements. This is very important for me now."
Indeed, that steadfast mentality has helped him become arguably the biggest name on the ONE Championship roster in only three years.
Malykhin (14-0) has racked up a 6-0 run in the promotion on his way to securing the organization's middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight crown. More impressively, he's finished every fight inside the distance.
The One Chance Team and Tiger Muay Thai star doesn't show any signs of slowing down, and many are expecting him to cruise to another emphatic win when he trades leather with 'Reug Reug' early next month.
Anatoly Malykhin's path to victory over Reug Reug
There are plenty of ways Anatoly Malykhin can add another feather in his cap when he defends his heavyweight strap for the first time inside the Thai capital city on November 8.
'Sladkiy' can opt to go berserk and shut down the Black Panther Sports and ReugReug MMA affiliate behind his concussive punching power.
Every strike will connect with full power, so as long as he continues to rack 'em up, the chances of him switching Kane's lights out will look better.
If the Senegal star somehow manages to hang with the divisional king on the feet, the 36-year-old shouldn't think twice about taking things to the canvas and going in for the kill via ground and pound or submission.
Kane does possess good wrestling and knockout power. Unfortunately, Anatoly Malykhin is just levels above him in every department.
ONE 169 will be available to active Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada on November 8.