WATCH: Anatoly Malykhin unifies heavyweight MMA crown by turning Arjan Bhullar into mincemeat
Reigning and undisputed ONE heavyweight, light heavyweight, and middleweight MMA world champion 'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin is an unprecedented three-division MMA world titleholder.
No one in the history of the sport has ever won and held three major world titles in three different weight classes in a top global promotion. Malykhin achieved the impossible feat by making it look easy.
In June of 2023, Malykhin finally faced off against fierce rival 'Singh' Arjan Bhullar of India to unify the ONE heavyweight MMA world titles. The two met at ONE Friday Fights 22 at the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and Malykhin put on an absolute clinic.
Check out his performance here in this YouTube clip:
Needless to say, Malykhin was absolutely on point and put together a rather dominant performance against a tough opponent in Bhullar before knocking him out in the third round.
'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin returns to action to defend his heavyweight gold against Senegal's Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane at ONE 169: Atlanta, which broadcasts live from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free on Amazon Prime Video beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET on Friday, November 8th.
Anatoly Malykhin unfazed ahead of looming 'Reug Reug' showdown at ONE 169: Atlanta: "No real threat"
Triple champ 'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin believes he has nothing to worry about heading into his first heavyweight MMA world title defense against Senegalese wrestling sensation Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane.
The 38-year-old Kemerovo native says Reug Reug is just an ordinary fighter who lacks the physical ability to give him a good scrap. He also believes Reug Reug is a dirty fighter.
Malykhin told ONE:
"‘Reug Reug’ usually falls apart after the first anyway – hands drop, starts grabbing at opponent’s shorts or gloves. Kind of a dirty fighter, really. No real threat, though."