"Simple as that" - Three-division king Anatoly Malykhin only sees one outcome in heavyweight MMA title defense vs 'Reug Reug'
Three-division king Anatoly Malykhin only sees one outcome ahead of his next MMA world title defense at ONE 169: Atlanta.
The Russian powerhouse is set to return to action this November after 8 months of solid respite, to defend his heavyweight crown against Senegalese heavyweight 'Reug Reug' Oumar Kane.
The long-awaited matchup between these two foes comes after Malykhin claimed the middleweight strap against Reinier de Ridder last year, and 'Reug Reug' bumping down rising contender Marcus Almeida in a heavyweight brawl to claim a shot at the world title.
Despite Kane's meteoric rise to top, Anatoly Malykhin remains skeptical about 'Reug Reug's' ability to ride the momentum against him, especially after watching him gas out to Alemeida the year before.
According to the champ, there's no point in overthinking how this fight is going to go, since it's only going to go one way - his way.
Speaking to ONE, Malykhin nonchantly said:
"Nah, I'm just gonna knock him out. Simple as that."
ONE 169: Atlanta will air live from inside the State Farm Arena in Georgia for the first time on November 8 for Prime Video subscribers in Canada and the US.
Anatoly Malykhin makes history as an unprecedented three-division MMA world champion
If anyone claimed to be more of a threat to Reinier De Ridder it's Anatoly Malykhin.
The Russian powerhouse proved for the second time why he's the most skilled MMA champion in the world. At ONE on Prime Video 5, Malykhin ended any possibility of a comeback for De Ridder, with a TKO victory in the third round of their middleweight war.
Now, Malykhin stands at the highest point of his career, a place where no one has ever been before. With three golden belts at his side, Malykhin is on his way to be remembered as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.
Watch Anatoly Malykhin make unprecedented history below: