“It's a comfortable way to live” - Three-division conqueror Anatoly Malykhin says he feels his best at heavyweight
Anatoly Malykhin loves being a heavyweight.
On Friday night, November 8, the Russian juggernaut will put his ONE heavyweight MMA world championship on the line when he meets Senegalese sensation Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane in the ONE 169 headliner.
It will be Malykhin's first time defending one of his three world titles, and yes, you read that right. 'Sladkiy' has three championship belts, all under the ONE banner.
Over the last couple of years, Malykhin has claimed the heavyweight, light heavyweight, and even the middleweight world titles, becoming mixed martial arts' first-ever simultaneous three-division king.
As for which division he likes competing in the most, Malykhin told Nick Atkin:
"I'm the king of the heavyweight. You can eat whatever you want. You can drink. It's a comfortable way to live. So I really love this weight."
If Malykhin hopes to remain the king of the heavyweights, he'll have to pass perhaps his toughest test yet at ONE 169.
'Reug Reug' primed to give Anatoly Malykhin his hardest fight yet
Anatoly Malykhin will put his heavyweight gold up for grabs against Oumar Kane—better known by fight fans as 'Reug Reug'.
The well-rounded 32-year-old out of Senegal earned his spot at the top of the contender's list with an impressive showing against 17-time BJJ world champion Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida at ONE Fight Night 13 last year. The victory moved Kane to 6-1 in his mixed martial arts career, three of those victories coming by way of knockout inside the Circle.
Kane also earned a first-round knockout against countryman Boucher Ketchup in a kickboxing bout at ONE Fight Night 23, further proving himself as a threat both on his feet and on the mat.
Will 'Reug Reug' shock the world and hand Malykhin his first career defeat, or will the Russian fan-favorite move to 15-0 and keep his three-division status intact?
Fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 169: Malykhin vs. ‘Reug Reug’ live on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, November 8 in U.S. primetime.