WATCH: Anatoly Malykhin claims first piece of undisputed gold in brutal mauling of Reinier de Ridder for light heavyweight strap
Anatoly Malykhin's unprecedented rise to three-division ONE MMA supremacy began when he thoroughly dismantled Reinier de Ridder at ONE on Prime Video 5 in Dec. 2022 to win the ONE light heavyweight MMA world championship.
De Ridder sought to successfully defend the 225-pound MMA crown against Malykhin, who had just won the ONE interim heavyweight MMA world championship in February that same year, by leaning into his reach advantage.
However, Malykhin's boxing abilities were too much for 'The Dutch Knight'. 'Sladkiy' secured his first undisputed MMA crown by knockout late in the first round.
Relive the moment below, which ONE shared on YouTube:
In June of the following year, Malykhin decimated Arjan Bhullar in their ONE heavyweight MMA world championship unification bout to become the undisputed king of the 265-pound MMA division.
The Golden Team fighter claimed his third undisputed ONE MMA world championship by winning the middleweight MMA crown from de Ridder at ONE 166: Qatar this past March.
Malykhin's next foray inside the circle will be in defense of the ONE heavyweight MMA world championship against Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. 'Reug Reug' on Nov. 8 inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
'Reug Reug' also wants Anatoly Malykhin's light heavyweight MMA crown
Oumar Kane proudly bared his plans of challenging Anatoly Malykhin for the ONE light heavyweight MMA world championship after their ONE 169 heavyweight MMA world title tilt.
Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda MMA, the Senegalese star said:
"It's my belt, you know. I'm going to win this fight, Inshallah. Then I'm going down to 100kg, I'll go to light heavyweight, and I'm going to win."
Watch the entire interview below:
ONE 169 will air live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.