Kang Ji Won makes early pick for upcoming Anatoly Malykhin - ‘Reug Reug’ war at ONE 169: Atlanta
South Korean fighter Kang Ji Won has given his take on the scheduled title clash between ONE heavyweight MMA world champion Anatoly Malykhin and Senegalese challenger 'Reug Reug' Oumar Kane later this year, going for the Russian juggernaut to emerge on top.
'Sladkiy' will defend his heavyweight world title for the first time at ONE 169 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. on Nov. 8 after unifying the division's championship belts with a TKO victory over former titleholder Arjan Bhullar in their unification match in June last year.
Out to cut his reign is 'Reug Reug', who has been nearly unstoppable in the heavyweight division since coming to the fore in ONE Championship in 2021.
In an interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Kang Ji Won shared his thoughts on the marquee showdown, straightforwardly saying that victory would come for the reigning world champion:
"I definitely got my bet on Anatoly Malykhin."
Watch the interview below:
Kang will be keeping an eye on the Malykhin-'Reug Reug' title clash, hoping to get a shot at the winner and the world title at some point in the future.
Meanwhile, apart of the heavyweight world title, Malykhin also simultaneously holds the middleweight and light heavyweight MMA championship belts.
'Reug Reug' and Kang Ji Won will be part of ONE Fight Night 23
While preparing to vie for the ONE heavyweight MMA world title later this year, 'Reug Reug' Oumar Kane will also be competing at ONE Fight Night 23: Ok vs Rasulov on Prime Video this week in Thailand. He will be joined by fellow heavyweight fighter Kang Ji Won, who will be taking on a separate opponent.
The Senegalese fighter will be making his kickboxing debut against ONE Championship newcomer Boucher Ketchup in the event happening on July 5 at the famed Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
Kang Ji Won, meanwhile, is up for a heavyweight MMA clash against Kirill Grishenko of Belarus. The 'Mighty Warrior' will be going for back-to-back victories after his second-round TKO win over Dutch-American fighter Mikhail Jamal Abdul-Latif back in January.
ONE Fight Night 23 will be available live and for free to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.