“Leave those thoughts behind” - Anatoly Malykhin’s message to any fighter who thinks it’s easy to become world champion
Reigning and undisputed ONE heavyweight, light heavyweight, and middleweight MMA world champion 'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin of Russia has a message to any fighter who thinks they can just waltz into any MMA promotion and become a world champion -- it's not that easy.
Malykhin says the level of talent and competition in major global organizations like the UFC and ONE Championship is so elite that winning a world title has become extremely difficult.
Speaking to Red Corner MMA in a recent interview, Malykhin sent a message to potential opponents.
'Sladkiy' said:
"If you think you can go to any promotion and get a belt, leave those thoughts behind."
Furthermore, Malykhin addressed PED use in MMA and issued a challenge to anyone doping to gain a competitive advantage. He added:
"I read a lot and follow the sport. Everyone wants to find a miracle drug and beat everyone. They say champions just take injections and beat everyone. Doesn’t matter if you inject 50 syringes, I can have anyone come and pay for whatever they need, anything he wants for six months, if he doesn’t take the belt, he returns my money two fold."
Clearly, for Malykhin, it's more about skill and technique than physical prowess. Fortunately for 'Sladkiy', he has both.
'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin to defend heavyweight MMA gold against Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane at ONE 169: Atlanta
Fans won't have to wait long to see triple division MMA world champion 'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin back in action.
The Russian star is set to defend his ONE heavyweight MMA world title against Senegal's Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane at ONE 169: Atlanta, which broadcasts live from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, November 8th.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live on Amazon Prime Video.
Stay tuned to Sporskeeda MMA for all the news and updates surrounding the event as it happens.