ONE Championship is set to have two shows in the United States this year, and it announced two massive bouts for its second scheduled event. On Instagram, the world’s largest martial arts organization shared its first poster for ONE 169: Atlanta, scheduled for Friday, November 8 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Featured in the image are three-division World Champion Anatoly Malykhin and “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane, who will battle it out for the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title in the main event. In the other featured bout, it will be ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai taking on Atlanta-based “Smokin’” Jo Nattawut for their third meeting within the past 12 months. 

Fans and fighters alike are all excited for the twin matchups, and it sets a good start for the card that is about to take shape, especially with what’s at stake for both announced fights. 

Blockbuster main and co-main event headline ONE 169: Atlanta

The two heated rivalries are set to ignite the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, as they get the opportunity to silence their critics with massive wins. In the main event, Malykhin and “Reug Reug” will finally use their fists to speak for them. The pair have already engaged in a social media brawl previously after Kane showed his willingness to fight Anatoly Malykhin. “Sladkiy” took to his Instagram account to share a picture of him with his championship belts. He provoked the Senegalese beast by captioning it with, “A dog will always be a dog.” 

The 36-year-old didn’t just stop there, he went a bit further and even termed his next fight as easy money. Malykhin wrote, “Easy money is on the way.” Of course, ‘Reug Reug’ did not take the assaults lying down, as he responded by commenting, “Your head is coming off first.”

Meanwhile, Nattawut gets another shot at Tawanchai. In their initial meeting at ONE Fight Night 15 last October, the Atlanta-based Thai star was called on short notice to face the featherweight Muay Thai king in a kickboxing bout. What resulted was a three-round war that the PK Saenchai Muay Thai Gym athlete won, but it was so close that a lot of fans thought it could have gone either way.

Their rematch earlier this month at ONE 167 was just as tight as the first and didn’t answer any definitive questions as it was another razor-thin decision that Tawanchai came away with. The third time could be a charm though, and Nattawut will certainly aim to be on the better end of a tight contest. 

Fans and fighters react to the latest announcement for ONE 169: Atlanta

Both matchups feature proven finishers and show-stealers, which make the November 8 event truly a spectacle to watch out for. Fighters and fans alike flocked to the comments section to express their excitement for the upcoming event, with a mixture of support for all participating combatants in the twin announcement. 

Check out some of the comments below:  

ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong was very excited about the announcement, commenting: “ATLANTA!!! LET’S GOOOOO!!! 🔥🔥🔥” 

Anatoly Malykhin also commented, “Let’s go 🔥” and is looking ready for his clash with ‘Reug Reug’.

Former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred Brooks appears to throw his name in the mix, saying: “If you need an American for an American card let (me) know.”

Bantamweight Muay Thai contender Nico Carillo also wants a place, as he says: “Wouldn’t mind been on this one @yodchatri” 

Kane brought up his beef with Malykhin in the comments, “You (‘re) dead ☠️” but the champion was also quick to reply and commented, “Dancer 💃” 

One fan is entertained by the budding rivalry between the two heavyweights, saying: “I like Malykhin and Reug Reug’s social media arguments and insults. But in the ring, Malykhin will crush him.😂” 

The Senegalese fighter does have supporters in the comments, though one is worried about his gas tank: “Reug Reug is 🔥🔥🔥🔥 just hoping he’s worked on his stamina.”

While Nattawut and Tawanchai are set to clash for a third time already, there are fans who are looking forward to it, with one hoping for redemption this time: “Very glad Nattawut has another chance here.” Another fan was more optimistic, saying “Jo will be champion this time.” 

Are you excited about the upcoming clash? Let us know in the comments below.