"I'm ready to fight anyone" - Anatoly Malykhin confident he can defend the throne against Aung La N Sang or Shamil Erdogan
Anatoly Malykhin has made it clear from the start that he plans on being an active champion who defends his world titles. Reaching the stage of becoming a world champion is a huge achievement for any fighter, but the work doesn't stop there.
Maintaining that level in order to keep up with the hungry challengers is no easy feat, let alone trying to do it across three different weight classes.
A big fight is set to go down in the middleweight MMA division at ONE Championship's return to the United States.
Former two-weight world champion Aung La N Sang will face the undefeated Shamil Erdogan at ONE 168 on September 6.
Whoever comes out on top at the Ball Arena in Denver could find themselves in position for a title shot, and Malykhin is more than happy to oblige.
He spoke in an interview with ONE Championship about his plans to move back down the weight classes if that's what he needs to do next:
"I'm interested in all matchups! Whoever the ONE Championship matchmakers give me, I'll fight. I'm ready to fight anyone and prove that I'm the champion."
Anatoly Malykhin has a lot on his plate right now
His first move down to middleweight to defeat Reinier de Ridder and become a three-weight world champion was a big enough task for Anatoly Malykhin.
Defending all three belts means that he will need to fluctuate between his various divisions, but that's a challenge that excites him.
The triple champ is set to return at ONE's next event in the US, ONE 169 in Atlanta, where he will defend his heavyweight crown against 'Reug Reug' Oumar Kane.
At the same time, he'll be keeping a close eye on the action at the Ball Arena on September 6.
Tickets for ONE 168: Denver are available via Ticketmaster.