“I Think It’s Going to Be the Same as Last Time” – Anatoly Malykhin Casts Doubt on Reinier de Ridder’s Ability to Secure a Different Outcome in Their Rematch

Anatoly Malykhin is supremely confident that he will emerge victorious once again in his upcoming rematch with a familiar foe.

At ONE 166: Qatar this Friday, March 1, the Russian powerhouse is set to face Reinier de Ridder a second time, with him challenging the Dutchman for the ONE Middleweight MMA World Championship this time.

Anatoly Malykhin claims to see no improvement in Reinier De Ridder’s game

In their first encounter at ONE on Prime Video 5 in December 2022, Malykhin wasted no time unleashing his power, and he ultimately ended the fight before the opening round closed to secure the light heavyweight crown and hand “The Dutch Knight” his first professional defeat.

Despite the fact that over a year has passed since then, Anatoly Malykhin doesn’t think his old foe has had enough time to fill the gaps that led to his downfall ahead of their rematch this weekend.

“Surely, he has already drawn conclusions from our previous encounter, but what could he do since then? I don’t think he’s learned how to fight in the stand-up, or how to punch hard, or how to freestyle wrestle,” he told ONE Championship in an interview.

Adjustments are a key part of the fight game, and Anatoly Malykhin believes that De Ridder has done his homework and observed what he could have done differently during their last meeting in the hope of avenging his loss.

Also Read: ONE Championship Builds Up to ONE 166: Qatar With a Slew of Events, Starting With Star-Studded Press Conference

Malykhin is going into the fight with “The Dutch Knight” with no game plan

But the light heavyweight and heavyweight MMA king says it’s difficult to make a game plan for him because he never has one in place whenever he steps into a fight.

“De Ridder has realized how dangerous I am. Together with his team, he has come up with some new plan. But the scary thing for all my opponents is that I don’t have a plan for any fight at all. I just go out there and do what I love doing and enjoy it,” Anatoly Malykhin said.

“When we get in the cage with De Ridder, we’ll see right away what De Ridder can do at middleweight. I think it’s going to be the same as last time.”

ONE 166: Qatar will be ONE Championship’s first show in Qatar. It will be broadcast to fans in 190 countries around the world, including in North America, where Prime Video subscribers can watch it live and for free.

Also Read: Reinier de Ridder Explains How His Gym Helps Feed His Passion for Martial Arts – “We’ve Always Shared Blood, Sweat and Tears”