Anatoly Malykhin made history earlier this month, and the Russian powerhouse is far from finished.
“Sladkiy” became the first MMA athlete in history to win World Titles in three separate weight classes when he stopped Reinier de Ridder in the ONE 166: Qatar main event, adding the ONE Middleweight MMA World Title to his light heavyweight and heavyweight crowns.
But after the landmark victory, Malykhin revealed that he has even grander plans for his career.
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“For me, this win does not make history,” he said. “It’s always been clear I can do things in sports that no one else has ever done. I think history will be made when we get four belts and one more in boxing. Then we’ll make history. But, for now, we are just at the beginning of our journey.”
Before he looks to add more gold to his already impressive collection, the 36-year-old has three divisions that he now reigns over.
Anatoly Malykhin sets sights on heavyweight division after securing third belt
The division that Anatoly Malykhin has in his sights on for his next fight is heavyweight. ONE’s heavyweight division is home to some of the world’s most imposing fighters such as Malykhin, Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, Amir Aliakbari, and Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane.
Aliakbari also extended his win streak at ONE 165 with a dominant win over the gun-shy Arjan Bhullar, and the hulking Iranian is now in Malykhin’s radar for a rematch.
“At the moment I see two options. It’s ‘Reug Reug’ or Aliakbari. I don’t know which one,” he said.
“Aliakbari certainly deserves his rematch more at the moment because he’s got a four-fight winning streak and that’s very serious. He has good boxing, and functionally he surprises me that he can breathe for all three rounds. I can’t wait for this fight. I think the audience is waiting for it too, so let’s go,” he said. “Thoughts [on a fight with ‘Reug Reug’]? Knockout in round one, win a bonus, then have a good time with my family after the win… I am ready to go in the ring with both of them on the same night.”
Kane has won his last three, the latest of which was an unforgettable unanimous decision over Almeida last August. The ultra-athletic Senegalese wrestler has exchanged barbs with Maykhin over social media, but it appears that Aliakbari has stolen a match with his win over a former ONE Heavyweight World Champion in Bhullar.