Two-division ONE world champion Anatoly Malykhin isn’t one to mince his phrases. The Russian is again to enjoying his typical thoughts video games forward of his rematch towards Reinier de Ridder at ONE 166: Qatar.
‘Sladkiy’ will run it again towards ‘The Dutch Knight’ in the primary occasion of the group’s stacked debut within the area, which broadcasts stay from the Lusail Sports activities Area on March 1.
After efficiently claiming the de Ridder’s gentle heavyweight crown of their first encounter, the Russian behemoth is now trying to turn out to be MMA’s first simultaneous three-division world champion.
Earlier than he makes an attempt to steal de Ridder’s maiden ONE gold, the middleweight strap, Anatoly Malykhin thinks that his former foe continues to be having nightmares from his first-career loss to him. They beforehand crossed paths at ONE on Prime Video 5 in December 2022.
He advised the South China Morning Publish:
“I want him a extremely good sleep at evening as a result of I am fairly positive he has nightmares about me. I am fairly positive he sees me knocking him out each day, again and again, so I want him a extremely good relaxation, and I want he may sleep higher.”
Watch the complete interview right here:
Relive Anatoly Malykhin’s smashing end of de Ridder
Heading into their showdown contained in the Mall of Asia Area in Manila, Philippines, then-two-division king Reinier de Ridder was touted as a favourite to maintain his unbeaten report and lightweight heavyweight world title inside his possession.
Nonetheless, Anatoly Malykhin had different plans, as he broke down the Breda native from the opening bell.
Finally, a large uppercut, a crushing proper hand, and a barrage of hammerfists did him good as he took the win at 4:35 of the opening stanza.
Now chasing three-weight glory, ‘Sladkiy’ will look to make use of that victory as a blueprint to ship one other efficiency for the ages when he meets the Dutch famous person in the primary occasion of ONE 166: Qatar.