Oumar Kane has a fight booked while he waits for his ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title opportunity, and divisional king Anatoly Malykhin has not missed the opportunity to put in his two cents.
“Reug Reug” faces Senegalese compatriot Boucher Ketchup in a heavyweight kickboxing match at ONE Fight Night 23: Ok vs. Rasulov on July 5 in Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Kane has gone from a viral sensation dating back to his dominant run on the Senegalese wrestling circuit to a bona fide MMA star since making his ONE debut in 2021.
The 32-year-old has won five of his six contests on the global stage so far, cementing himself as the top contender to the heavyweight MMA crown.
Ketchup is also a Senegalese wrestler with a large following in the African nation, due to his entertaining fighting style and infectious personality.
But Malykhin, whom Kane will challenge for the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title at ONE 169: Atlanta on November 8, is not impressed with his opponent taking a fight in the interim.
Anatoly Malykhin trolls next opponent Oumar Kane ahead of ONE Fight Night 23
Three-weight ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykhin has implored his next opponent, Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane, to ensure that he comes out of his ONE Fight Night 23 fight against Boucher Ketchup unscathed.
If he does make it to ONE 169 in one piece, however, Malykhin vowed to ensure that he doesn’t walk out of the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, the same way.
“Oumar, what are you doing? Kickboxing? Your delicate body can’t take these punches,” he said.
“I have one favor to ask of you: Don’t fall face first in this fight and get seriously injured. Don’t ruin the poster for our fight in Atlanta, preserve your face.”
“But make sure you bring a pillow when you fight me. I want you to be comfortable when I send you to sleep. I promise I’ll lull you to sleep with a good lullaby. Just don’t overdo it fighting Ketchup and make it to Atlanta uninjured!”
Kane vs. Ketchup promises to be one of the most intriguing battles of ONE Fight Night 23, and Malykhin will be the most interested onlooker of all.