Triple-champ Anatoly Malykhin plans to flip Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane “over like a haystack” in Atlanta showdown
Three-division MMA world champion Anatoly Malykhin continued to find new ways to taunt world title challenger Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane ahead of their heavyweight showdown in Atlanta.
Ahead of his defense of the ONE heavyweight MMA world title, Malykhin was tipping over hay bales in what looked like some sort of strength training ahead of his ONE 169: Atlanta collision against Kane.
Always one to throw humor, shade, and the occasional animosity, Malykhin said he'd ragdoll Kane once they're locked inside the Circle on November 8 at State Farm Arena.
Anatoly Malykhin posted on Instagram:
"I'll turn it over like a haystack @reugreug #one169 Atlanta let's go 💪"
Malykhin holds the ONE middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight MMA world championships, and is arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.
'Sladkiy' is a Master of Sport in freestyle wrestling in his native Russia, yet he barely uses his natural discipline during fights.
Instead, Malykhin used his wall-shattering power to carve a perfect 6-0 record in ONE Championship with all six of his wins coming via diabolical knockout.
The Russian knockout merchant has used his fists to send Alexandre Machado, Amir Aliakbari, Kirill Grishenko, Arjan Bhullar, and Reinier de Ridder, twice, to the shadow realm.
He'll now bring that destructive power to Atlanta when he defends his heavyweight MMA throne against 'Reug Reug'.
Tickets for ONE 169 are available at Ticketmaster.
Anatoly Malykhin talks about the importance of being a role model to future generations
While he's the most menacing figure inside the cage or between the ropes, Anatoly Malykhin is the complete opposite when he's not fighting.
Several fighters have said that Malykhin is a laidback individual who will always lend anyone a helping hand.
That rang true during Malykhin's visit to his hometown.
Malykhin recently returned to Kemerovo in southwest Siberia to share his knowledge and wisdom with the region's new generation of martial artists.
In an interview with ONE Championship, the triple-champ talked about what it means to be a positive influence on the youth:
"My main goal is to convey the message that anything is possible. I'm just an ordinary guy with two arms and two legs, and I face fears and doubts just like everyone else. But I want to show kids that sports, a healthy lifestyle, and a good upbringing matter. It's about providing them with a positive direction in life, not about idolizing me, but about guiding them towards making the right choices."