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Anatoly Malykhin sees ‘no real threat’ from Reug Reug ahead of world title clash at ONE 169: Atlanta

Theo

Last week, news broke that a blockbuster heavyweight showdown between three-division ONE MMA world champion Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin and Senegalese giant “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane was heading to ONE 169: Atlanta.

Scheduled to take place on November 8 at State Farm Arena, this world title clash will represent the culmination of months and months of growing tensions between the two athletes.

“Sladkiy” and “Reug Reug” have been trading barbs on social media for some time, and now that their highly anticipated fight is finally on the calendar, they aren’t about to slow down the insults.

As the first man in MMA history to hold world titles in three different weight classes simultaneously, the undefeated Russian superstar is brimming with confidence and remains unfazed by his opponent.

When asked about Kane’s best attributes as a fighter, Malykhin was tough and direct. He told onefc.com:

“The only thing ‘Reug Reug’ really has going for him is his strength. Yes, the guy is strong and his balance isn’t bad, but that’s it.

To say that the former Senegalese wrestling champion is “strong” is perhaps an understatement.

Kane, 32, is a formidable man, feared for his crushing grappling, intense ground strikes and thunderous punching power.

However, Malykhin is not impressed with “Reug Reug” or his three-fight winning streak. He is quick to say that his enemy has a suspicious gas – which has never been tested during the championship events:

“He’s slow, he can’t time punches for the life of him and his cardio sucks. Three rounds and he’s gassed, and it’s a five rounder.

Malykhin’s criticism does not end there. He says that when the going gets tough, Kane tends to bend the rules in his favor.

Even so, the reigning middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight MMA kingpin is not affected:

“Anyway, ‘Reug Reug’ usually collapses after the first – hands fall, starts grabbing opponent’s shorts or gloves. Kind of a dirty fighter, actually. But no real threat.

Malykhin promises American fans a knockout

When Anatoly Malykhin faces Oumar Kane at ONE 169: Atlanta, he will make his long-awaited debut on North American soil.

With his unblemished professional track record, 100% success rate and three ONE MMA world titles, the Russian’s track record gives fans something to be excited about.

And for his part, Malykhin promises to deliver fireworks on November 8:

“American fans love knockouts, don’t they? They want a good show, fighters who give their all, who leave everything in the cage. That’s what I’m going to give them: a knockout, a damn good fight! »

While “Sladkiy” is most feared for his clean boxing technique and shocking punching power, he comes from a high-level wrestling background.

Given the knockout power of “Reug Reug,” some fans might expect the reigning titleholder to take a safer, grappling-based approach.

But when posed with the idea, Malykhin quickly dismissed the suggestion:

“No, I’ll just knock him out.” As simple as that.”

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