"I'm ready to go five rounds" - Anatoly Malykhin prepared to go the distance if he doesn't KO Reug Reug at ONE 169
Anatoly Malykhin is eying another quick night out when he returns at ONE 169. That being said, he's prepared to throw bombs the entire duration if he fails to add to his highlight-reel gallery.
The three-division MMA world champion puts his heavyweight gold on the line inside the Lumpinee Stadium on Nov. 8. Knowing 'Reug Reug' Oumar Kane might be tough to put away, the One Chance Team and Tiger Muay Thai affiliate has put in the work in camp to pace himself for the scheduled 25 minutes.
Speaking to ONE Championship before he steps inside the ring in Bangkok, Thailand, Anatoly Malykhin said:
"If I can't land a punch on him, believe me, I'm ready to go five rounds, even seven, eight. I'm ready for anything, any scenario this guy can bring."
Despite somewhat playing down his chances, it'll be hard to imagine the Russian going the distance given the power he possesses. The 36-year-old arrived on the global stage of martial arts with a pristine 8-0 slate and a 100 percent finish rate. He's also won every assignment under the ONE banner since, with an overall record of 14-0.
Most recently, he attained his third belt with a crushing TKO win at ONE 166: Qatar. Given his track record, it should be another dominant display for the triple champ when he defends his heavyweight crown in the main event of the Nov. 8 card.
Staying hungry has been the key to Anatoly Malykhin's success
Though he's achieved almost everything there is for him to attain in MMA, Anatoly Malykhin says he is far from done chasing greatness.
In the same interview with ONE Championship, 'Sladkiy' shared his secret to success, teasing that he wants to add a couple more ONE world titles to his record-breaking run in the organization.
He said:
"I don't think about my achievements now. Maybe after I retire, I will start enjoying my time and looking back to see my four to five belts."
North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription can catch the entire ONE 169 card live at U.S. primetime for free.