“I Don’t Think He Would Pass My Test” – Anatoly Malykhin Won’t Leave ONE Championship Despite Ranting About Locking Horns With Former UFC Heavyweight King Francis Ngannou

Anatoly Malykhin finally unified the ONE Heavyweight World Championship last weekend, but he is still hungry to prove to show that he is the best heavyweight anywhere on the planet. The former interim titleholder closed out his longstanding rivalry with Arjan Bhullar at ONE Fight Night 22 on Friday, June 23, thanks to command three-round demolition of the Indian-Canadian star that claimed him his 13th TKO win alongside the undisputed heavyweight crown. 

This week, in an interview with MMA.Metaratings.ru, the Russian powerhouse was asked if there were any top heavyweights in the world that he would fancy testing his skills against, and he had one name in mind.

Anatoly Malykhin was confident about getting the better of even Francis Ngannou

“I would like to meet Francis Ngannou, of course, to see what he’s capable of, if he’s as strong as everyone thinks he is. I don’t think he would pass my test,” Malykhin said. Ngannou is considered one of the best heavyweights in any martial arts promotion. Like Malykhin, he also has dynamite power in his hands, and it has helped amass a 17-3 professional MMA record.

The former UFC Heavyweight World Champion was linked to a potential signing with ONE Championship earlier this year, but he has now signed with the PFL. A matchup between Ngannou and Malykhin may not be on the horizon, considering they now officially belong to different promotions, but that won’t stop fans debating who would come out on top.

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With Malykhin putting down everyone he has faced on his path to claiming World Titles in two weight classes in ONE, some have suggested that he should test his skills elsewhere. Russian juggernaut and Bellator’s light heavyweight king Vadim Nemkov recently admitted that he would be willing to move to the UFC if he were offered US$1,000,000 per fight, and Malykhin was asked if he would consider a similar deal while speaking with the combat sports website.

Anatoly Malykhin intended to finish his career under ONE Championship only

The 35-year-old superstar was quick to assert his loyalty to The Home of Martial Arts in response, and he broke down why with great enthusiasm.

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“There are no such conditions that can make me leave ONE. When no one wanted me, Mr. Chatri and ONE gave me a job, gave me a home, and I don’t sell out for money. Whatever price is offered for me now or in the future in the UFC or elsewhere, as long as ONE needs me, as long as I’m a ONE fighter, I stay in this organization. And if ONE doesn’t fire me, I want to end my career with ONE,” Malykhin said.