“Maybe we can go again” - ‘Reug Reug’ still wants to settle the score with tormentor Kirill Grishenko
'Reug Reug' Oumar Kane is down to run it back with the only man to hand him a loss in his mixed martial arts career.
This Friday night, the Senegalese sensation will step into the main event spotlight as he challenges reigning three-division king Anatoly Malykhin for the ONE heavyweight MMA world championship at ONE 169.
Kane earned his opportunity to challenge 'Sladkiy' inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok with a dominant unanimous decision victory over 17-time BJJ world champion Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida at ONE Fight Night 13.
'Reug Reug' goes into his first shot at 26 pounds of gold on a three-fight win streak, but it's the lone loss he suffered three years ago against Kirill Grishenko that still stings like a thorn in his side. Speaking to ONE Championship about a potential rematch with Grishenko, Kane said:
"I’m gonna knock him out. I’m going to finish him. Before, I was sick, and I see he’s talking too much now. But for now, I still have Anatoly. Let me finish him and his two belts, and then maybe we can go again."
'Reug Reug' bounces back from controversial loss against Grishenko
Grishenko scored a third-round knockout against Kane at ONE on TNT IV, though the finish did come with a dose of controversy.
In the closing seconds of the second round, Grishenko landed a right hand that 'Reug Reug' immediately protested, claiming it came after the bell. Kane then feigned injury and laid on his back in the middle of the Circle for multiple minutes. During that time, officials reviewed the footage and ultimately awarded Grishenko the win via TKO at the 5:00 mark of the round.
Regardless, Kane has more than earned his shot against Malykhin with a trio of noteworthy wins in his last three outings.
If he manages to hand the Russian juggernaut his first career loss, 'Reug Reug' may have the pull to put together a rematch with Grishenko and avenge the lone L on his resume.
Fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 169: Malykhin vs. ‘Reug Reug’ live on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, Nov. 8 in U.S. primetime.