Anatoly Malykhin Gets His Long-Awaited Triumph Over Arjan Bhullar to Claim the ONE Heavyweight World Title at ONE Friday Fights 22

The ONE Championship heavyweight division finally has an undisputed World Champion again, and his name is Anatoly Malykhin. At ONE Friday Fights 22 on June 23, the Russian juggernaut defeated Arjan Bhullar by TKO in the third round of their scheduled five-round World Title unification bout to leave no questions about who the best heavyweight in the world today is.

Malykhin was aggressive throughout the match, systematically attacking the returning Indian star’s head and body in another impressive display of his boxing skills. As a result, Bhullar was pushed to the ring corners countless times, with little to no offense on his part. He did prove durable, however, absorbing multiple shots like it was nothing and pushing Malykhin to the longest match he has seen in his professional MMA career.

Anatoly Malykhin dominated Arjan Bhullar earning a lucrative bonus like eight other fighters

But when he took the match to the ground in the third frame and proceeded to rain down punches on his foe, Bhullar looked all but done. The 37-year-old wrestling star even tried to use the ropes to escape the onslaught, earning him a yellow card. 

Malykhin moved in for the kill when the action was reset, thought, and his ground-and-pound brought an end to the match at the 2:42 mark of the third round. With his 13th straight win, Malykhin earned another US$50,000 performance bonus and continued his insane 100% finishing rate.

The heavyweight World Title unification bout was one of seven bouts on the 11-fight card that ended in a stoppage, with nine fighters being awarded bonuses and two stars claiming contracts for ONE’s main roster. Thongpoon PK Saenchai and Nico Carrillo both produced incredible performances that earned them each a US$10,000 bonus and a life-changing contract that gives them the chance to compete at the Singapore-based promotion’s marquee events.

READ MORE – “I’ll Kill Two Birds With One Stone” – Kairat Akhmetov Plans to Fulfill Dreams of Reclaiming World Title and Defeating Demetrious Johnson

Elsewhere in the show, ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 chopped down the massive teenage striking sensation Nabil Anane to continue his quest for Muay Thai gold.

There were a lot of other showstoppers at the Malykhin vs Bhullar event as well

The event also saw Prajanchai PK Saenchai claim the interim ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title at the expense of former two-sport, two-division World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao.

READ MORE – Chingiz Allazov All Set to Level Things Against Marat Grigorian for His Featherweight Kickboxing Title Defense at ONE Fight Night 13

ONE Championship gold will once again be on the line at ONE Fight Night 12, as light heavyweight kickboxing king Roman Kryklia defends his crown against Albania’s Francesko Xhaja on US primetime on Friday, July 14. Meanwhile, the ONE Friday Fights series continues next week with ONE Friday Fights 23 on June 30.