Anatoly Malykhin Goes All Out in Verbal Assault at Rival Kane – “Kind of a Dirty Fighter, Really. No Real Threat, Though”

Three-division ONE World Champion Anatoly Malykhin is getting ready to defend one of his belts, and he’s full of confidence. 

For the first time in his ONE Championship career, “Sladkiy” won’t be chasing gold in a match and will instead be fighting to keep it. He’ll put the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title on the line against “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane at ONE 169: Atlanta inside Atlanta, Georgia’s State Farm Arena on Friday, November 8. 

Anatoly Malykhin isn’t threatened by Oumar Kane

Malykhin is aware of his upcoming opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and he broke them in an interview with ONE Championship. 

“The only thing ‘Reug Reug’ really has going for him is his strength. Yeah, the guy’s strong, and his balance ain’t bad, but that’s about it,” he said. 

“He’s slow, can’t time punches for the life of him, and his cardio sucks. Three rounds and he’s gassed, and this is a five-rounder.”

Senegalese wrestling icon “Reug Reug” earned his first shot at a ONE World Title by amassing three wins in a row, with the latest coming against BJJ legend Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida at ONE Fight Night 13 last August.

Despite Kane’s impressive run, Malykhin remains unfazed, and he spared no love for his upcoming opponent while detailing why he believes their fight won’t go all five rounds. 

“‘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,” he claimed. 

“Sladkiy” promises a good show at ONE 169

Malykhin is also not just all bravado in his claims. After all, he has won gold in every outing he has had in ONE since the start of 2022 and finished each of his 14 professional bouts so far.

With a chance to expand his fan base in the United States through live and in-person at ONE 169, the 36-year-old is promising fireworks.

“American fans love knockouts, right? They want a good show, fighters going all out, leaving it all in the cage. That’s what I’m gonna give them – a knockout, a damn good fight,” Malykhin said.

The rivalry between Malykhin and Kane has been brewing on social media. They each had provocative posts calling each other out even before their fight was even announced. 

Asked if he was preparing for “Reug Reug’s” vaunted grappling, the ONE Chance Team athlete shrugged it off. 

“Nah, I’m just going to knock him out. Simple as that,” Malykhin said.