Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin, the reigning three-division ONE MMA World Champion, is watching ONE 168: Denver with more than just casual interest. On September 6, former two-division champ Aung La N Sang will collide with undefeated Turkish powerhouse Shamil Erdogan in a fight that could shake up the division. But for Malykhin, this isn’t just another contender’s bout—it’s personal.

Malykhin has a history with Erdogan that goes beyond the cage. Years ago, they squared off in a wrestling match in Russia, where Erdogan handed Malykhin a rare defeat. Their paths crossed again at the famed Tiger Muay Thai Gym in Thailand, where they trained alongside each other, sharpening their skills. Now, Malykhin watches as his old rival steps into the spotlight, eyeing a potential future challenge.

As the champ broke down the fight, his insight reflected a deep understanding of both fighters. “If Erdogan can secure a takedown early and keep Aung La grounded, the fight could be his,” Malykhin said. “But if Aung La keeps getting up and takes it into later rounds, his stamina could become a huge factor.”

For Malykhin, this fight is more than just a spectacle—it’s a reminder that the past never stays buried in MMA. With his belt on the line and a potential rematch in the future, Malykhin is watching closely. Will Erdogan repeat his wrestling success, or will Aung La’s experience and resilience breakthrough? Either way, the stakes are higher than ever.

Who Does Anatoly Pick To Win?

The stakes are high for this match, especially because of the current form of both competitors. Aung La N Sang has won four of his last five bouts including three straight finishes in his latest outings. On the other hand, Erdogan had a show-stopping knockout against Fan Rong in his ONE debut to extend his undefeated run to 9-0. Malykhin is aware of how capable and dangerous both fighters are and is preparing himself for a possible clash with the winner of this matchup.

Speaking about the winner, Malykhin appears to be favoring Erdogan based on his prediction of the outcome of the match. It makes sense for him to root for his old rival, as he is looking to avenge his previous loss. Additionally, “Sladkiy” has stated before that he doesn’t have a lot of interest in fighting Aung La because he considers him as a friend. 

Nevertheless, he is hyped up for the fight as he stated in the same interview, “It will be an interesting fight! I think the one who imposes his fight plan on the opponent will win. Whoever, comes out of this fight as the winner deserves a title shot against me.”

Who Matches Up Better with Anatoly Malykhin?

Both fighters pose a different challenge for Malykhin. Shamil Erdogan’s undefeated record is a testament to how well he has integrated his wrestling background with a powerful striking arsenal to become a well-rounded MMA fighter. Meanwhile, Aung La N Sang, is a former two-division champ with incredible stamina and knockout power, as evidenced by his latest run. 

However, as the reigning undisputed ONE Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, and Middleweight MMA world champion, “Sladkiy” does not doubt that he can take care of business no matter who wins and earns a shot against him. 

Before he thinks about a future matchup with either of them though, the three-division king will look to extend his dominant streak when he returns to action against Senegalese wrestling star ‘Reug Reug’ Oumar Kane at ONE 169 in Atlanta in November. 

Are you excited about the ONE 168? Who do you think will win this bout? Tell us in the comments below.