SUMMARY
- Anatoly Malykhin created history in his latest bout against Reinier de Ridder.
- The Russian fighter beat de Ridder to become the first-ever three division MMA champion in ONE Championship.
After making history, three-weight ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykhin is taking aim at who he wants next. At ONE 166: Qatar last Friday, 1 March, “Sladkiy” collected his third consecutive MMA World Title after knocking out Reinier de Ridder.
In doing so, he added the ONE Middleweight MMA World Championship to his light heavyweight and heavyweight crowns, becoming the first-ever three-weight MMA World Champion for any major promotion. In the wake of his dominance, who’s next for the accoladed warrior? In Malykhin’s mind, he wants former UFC Heavyweight World Champion Francis Ngannou.
“Hey Ngannou, you’re next – you’re my chocolate pound cake. Let’s go,” Malykhin said at the ONE 166: Qatar post-fight press conference.
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Whether or not he gets his wish against “The Predator,” ONE Championship’s heavyweight division has come alive with a wealth of new contenders. One of whom is Malykhin’s old rival Amir Aliakbari.
The Iranian giant extended his winning streak to four in a row at ONE 166: Qatar, defeating former divisional king Arjan Bhullar. Aliakbari has found a new career trajectory since changing his training regime, and with four successive wins, he could face Malykhin later this year. As for Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is set to face boxing heavyweight superstar Anthony Joshua on March 8.
Chatri Sityodtong says Anatoly Malykhin will “smash” Francis Ngannou
Following the historic outcome of ONE 166: Qatar, ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong has no doubts in his mind that three-weight ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykin is the baddest man on the planet. Malykhin dethroned Reinier de Ridder to claim the ONE Middleweight MMA World Championship and make history.
When asked if this makes Malykhin the best fighter around, Sityodtong had no qualms in doubling down on the Russian’s capabilities, especially against the likes of former UFC Heavyweight World Champion Francis Ngannou.
“There’s no question Anatoly is the greatest heavyweight on the planet, full stop. Put aside different organizations and marketing. He has a 100 percent finish rate, one-punch KO power. He would take Francis Ngannou down and smash him. He’s an elite wrestler,” Sityodtong said.
“Anatoly can fight anybody. There’s no question in my mind. If you look at his achievements, to win in three different weight divisions, 25 kilos difference, it’s super-human to see what he did, and it speaks volumes to his talent, skills, and championship heart.”
After collecting three ONE MMA World Titles, Malykhin could go down any number of roads. One of them might lead to Ngannou. The Cameroonian is currently entrenched in the boxing scene, but with MMA still on his radar, fans certainly dream of a Malykhin-Ngannou super-fight.