Anatoly Malykhin has been an unstoppable drive.
Nobody has concurrently collected gold in combined martial arts (MMA) to the diploma that ONE Championship’s now-three-division champion has. The undefeated 14-0 Malykhin added a historic third strap to his assortment at ONE 166 this previous weekend (March 1, 2024). As soon as once more stopping Reinier de Ridder by way of strikes, this time in spherical three, Malykhin took the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) ace’s 205-pound Middleweight crown.
The win got here after Malykhin initially dethroned de Ridder from his 225-pound Gentle Heavyweight perch by way of a violent first spherical thumping (watch highlights) in December 2022 earlier than stopping Arjan Bhullar for the Heavyweight crown in June 2023. Worldwide, the Russian Grasp of Sport in freestyle wrestling has confirmed to be among the many greatest. At Heavyweight, particularly, ONE Founder and CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, sees no match for Malykhin, together with former Final Combating Championship (UFC) champion, Francis Ngannou.
“There’s no query Anatoly is the best Heavyweight on the planet, full cease,” Sityodtong mentioned within the ONE 166 post-fight press convention (h/t Sportskeeda). “Put apart totally different organizations and advertising and marketing. He has a 100% end fee, one-punch KO energy. He would take Francis Ngannou down and smash him. He’s an elite wrestler.”
Whereas Malykhin continues his dominant run by any and all weight lessons in ONE, Ngannou continues his pursuit of knowledgeable boxing profession. “The Predator” will return to the ring towards Anthony Joshua in his second boxing match this weekend (Sat., March 9, 2024).
Whatever the end result towards Joshua, Ngannou is anticipated to make his long-awaited Skilled Fighters League (PFL) debut towards Renan Ferreira in 2024. As unlikely as will probably be for crossover between ONE and PFL, getting Malykhin concerned within the combine can be a deal with for MMA followers across the globe.
“Anatoly can combat anyone. There’s no query in my thoughts,” Sityodtong mentioned. “In case you have a look at his achievements, to win in three totally different weight divisions, 25 kilos distinction, it’s superhuman to see what he did and it speaks volumes to his expertise, expertise, and championship coronary heart.”
