“The best heavyweight on the planet” - Chatri Stoyodtong praises three-division MMA king Anatoly Malykhin’s unparalleled greatness
For ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong, there is no better heavyweight in the world than reigning three-division titleholder Anatoly Malykhin.
Since making his promotional debut in 2021, the Russian juggernaut has smashed through the competition, earning wins over Amir Aliakbari, Kirill Grishenko, Reinier de Ridder, and Arjan Bhullar. Along the way, he's collected not one, not two, but three world titles.
Speaking about the reigning ONE middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight world champion, Sityodong hailed Malykhin as the top heavyweight on the planet.
"Yes, 100 percent Anatoly Malykhin is the best heavyweight on the planet right now. He's 14-0, with a 100 percent finish rate. He's a former Russian national team wrestler, very high-level grappler, and he has one-punch KO power. He's very, very athletic, very fast, and he's unstoppable. He hasn't lost an MMA fight, even in the amateur ranks. He didn't lose a fight. He hasn't lost in the pros, and he'll fight anybody."
He added:
"So, yeah, I think Anatoly for sure, is the best heavyweight on the planet by far. I think right now, if you look at the other organizations, their heavyweight divisions are not as strong. So I think Anatoly is the best for sure."
Anatoly Malykhin meets 'Reug Reug' at ONE 169: Atlanta on November 8
On Friday, November 8, Malykhin will return to the Circle for his first heavyweight title defense since taking the title off Arjan Bhullar at ONE Friday Fights 22 last year.
The undefeated Russian sensation will square off with Senegalese standout Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane in the ONE 169: Atlanta main event when ONE Championship heads to The Peach State for another explosive night of fights on Amazon Prime Video.
'Reug Reug' earned his first ONE world title opportunity with an impressive showing against 17-time BJJ world champion Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida at ONE Fight Night 13.
Will 'Reug Reug' hand Anatoly Malykhin the first loss of his mixed martial arts career, or will 'Sladkiy' continue his dominant run?
Tickets for ONE 169: Atlanta on November 8 at State Farm Arena can be purchased via Ticketmaster.