Reigning ONE heavyweight MMA world champion ‘Reug Reug’ Oumar Kane is not interested in pretending the gap between him and Anatoly Malykhin is small. The Senegalese colossal is certain he’s levels ahead of his foe.
The divisional king, Africa’s first-ever ONE world champion, puts his gold on the line in a rematch against Anatoly Malykhin in the headline attraction of The Inner Circle on May 15, broadcasting live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium.
‘Reug Reug’ dethroned Malykhin in their first encounter to claim the divisional gold at ONE 169 in November 2024, and the experience of sharing the ring with the previously undefeated Russian gave him a clarity he is now happy to share.
Kane’s first triumph over the two-division ONE MMA world champion was no fluke, after all. The way the bout unfolded confirmed something the Senegalese star had felt heading into their hotly anticipated rematch.
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Speaking to ONE Championship before their sequel, the heavyweight MMA champ was characteristically blunt about how he sees the matchup.
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good fighter. But after facing him, now I know we’re not on the same level. There’s a big difference,” the 34-year-old told the promotion.
The Senegal martial artist has won each of his last five appearances on the global stage of ONE Championship. Malykhin, meanwhile, returns to this rematch in search of redemption after suffering the first defeat of his career to Kane.
‘Reug Reug’ doubles down with an open challenge to the entire ONE heavyweight MMA division
The Senegalese champion’s confidence in dispatching Malykhin is matched only by his appetite to take on every other contender in the division.
Speaking to ONE Championship, ‘Reug Reug’ issued a chilling open call to anyone with designs on his strap.
“Anybody can get it. Anybody is welcome,” the 34-year-old told the organization.
Global fight fans can catch The Inner Circle on May 15 with a monthly subscription exclusively at live.onefc.com.
The card will also feature a lightweight MMA battle between Kade Ruotolo and Hiroyuki Tetsuka and an epic bantamweight Muay Thai slugfest pitting Superlek Kiatmoo9 against Abdulla Dayakaev.
Edited by Aziel Karthak
