“This is MMA, it’s up to Malykhin” - ‘Reug Reug’ eager to showcase his skills in world title fight with Anatoly Malykhin
Senegalese fighter 'Reug Reug' Oumar Kane fired a warning shot at the direction of ONE heavyweight world champion Anatoly Malykhin that he will be taking his championship belt when they collide later this year.
The heavyweight warriors are slated to battle at ONE 169 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. on Nov. 8 for the heavyweight MMA gold. The show is the second this year for the promotion in the United States after ONE 168: Denver to be played in September.
Following his latest victory at ONE Fight Night 23: Ok vs Rasulov on July 5 in Thailand, 'Reug Reug' expressed his determination to be the new heavyweight king and that he is ready for wherever the title fight will go.
The 32-year-old Thiaroye sur Mer native said during the post-fight interview for ONE Fight Night 23:
"I win [at ONE 169]! Maybe punch him, maybe high kick, anything. Maybe [with my] wrestling, maybe jiu-jitsu. This is MMA, it's up to Malykhin, anything [can happen] in MMA."
'Reug Reug' has won five of six MMA matches since making his promotional debut in January 2021, including his last three fights. It has thrust him to being one of the top conteders in the heavyweight class.
Meanwhile, Malykhin, whos is also the middleweight and light heavyweight champion, will be making his first defense of the heavyweight gold after unifying the championship belts in the division with a TKO victory over titleholder Arjan Bhullar in June last year.
'Reug Reug' victorious in kickboxing debut
"Reug Reug' Oumar Kane made it a successful kickboxing debut at ONE Fight Night 23 on July 5 in Thailand, making short work of fellow Senegalese fighter Boucher Ketchup with a first-round knockout victory.
Ketchup, who was making his ONE Championship debut, tried to take the fight early to the promotion veteran but was pushed back by solid hits from Kane.
It all came to an end at the 2:08 mark of the first round when 'Reug Reug' clipped Ketchup with a crisp left that instantly sent the latter to the canvas and unable to continue after.
The win was the sixth for 'Reug Reug' in ONE Championship, who traditional fights in the MMA lane. He is set to swing back to the multifaceted sport in his next match in November in the United States, where he will vie for the heavyweight title against divisional king Anatoly Malykhin.