“They all call me a fake champion” - Anatoly Malykhin eager to shut ‘Reug Reug’s' mouth in highly anticipated heavyweight showdown
Reigning and undisputed ONE heavyweight, light heavyweight, and middleweight MMA world champion 'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin of Russia can't wait to silence Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane the best way he knows how -- with his fists.
Malykhin and 'Reug Reug' have traded barbs over social media for the greater part of the last 12 months, and now it all comes to a head this weekend when the two finally step into the ring together in the world's largest martial arts organization.
For one, 'Sladkiy' has grown tired of 'Reug Reug's repeated attempts to undermine his status as the king of the heavyweights in ONE Championship. 'Reug Reug' has often referred to Malykhin as a 'fake champion'. However, the 36-year-old Kemerovo native is having none of it.
Speaking to ONE Championship in a recent interview, Malykhin said:
"They all call me a fake champion, but in the end, the belt is on me. And as for me running away from him — let’s see who’s running from whom on fight night. I’ll stand in the center and throw punches, and he’ll be wiping the corners of the ring, running away from me, just like all my previous opponents."
That's as ominous a message as it gets. Malykhin will bring his perfect 14-0 record and 100 percent finishing rate in hopes of getting 'Reug Reug' out of there early.
Anatoly Malykhin to battle Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane in ONE 169 on Prime Video main event
Triple champ 'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin is set to defend his ONE heavyweight MMA world title against Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane of Senegal in a three-round war of attrition.
The two lock horns in the main event of ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, Nov. 8.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event as it happens.