Newly crowned three-division ONE world champion Anatoly Malykhin has expressed his ambition to further expand his dominion within ONE Championship and is contemplating venturing into other martial art disciplines.
At ONE 166: Qatar on March 1, Malykhin achieved a historic feat by adding the middleweight MMA title to his collection of ONE light heavyweight and heavyweight world titles, dethroning former champion Reinier de Ridder by TKO in the third round. Following his monumental victory, Malykhin expressed his eagerness to continue his successful campaign in ONE Championship and expressed his openness to the possibility of competing in alternative disciplines beyond MMA.
During the post-event press conference in Qatar, Malykhin articulated his willingness to partake in various martial art disciplines under the banner of ONE Championship. The 36-year-old Russian fighter, known as ‘Sladkiy’, emphasized his readiness to embrace different forms of combat sports, showcasing his versatility as an elite athlete.
The thrilling culmination of ONE 166 witnessed Malykhin’s relentless pressure on De Ridder throughout the bout, culminating in a pivotal moment in the third round where the Russian powerhouse capitalized on an opportunity to unleash a barrage of punishing strikes and ground and pound, ultimately leading to his triumphant victory.
This monumental event marked Malykhin’s second encounter with De Ridder, with their previous bout resulting in Malykhin’s first-round KO victory in December 2022, solidifying his claim to the ONE light heavyweight MMA world title. Furthermore, ONE 166 marked a significant milestone as Malykhin became the first athlete in ONE Championship history to hold three world titles concurrently.
In the aftermath of his latest triumph, Malykhin exhibited profound respect for his adversary, acknowledging De Ridder’s prowess as a fighter and expressing admiration for his character, hailing him as a “legend,” a testament to their mutual respect amidst their competitive rivalry within the Circle.
Malykhin’s resounding victory at ONE 166 extended his undefeated streak to an impressive 14 consecutive professional MMA victories, affirming his status as a dominant force within the realm of ONE Championship.
The remarkable achievements of Anatoly Malykhin serve as a testament to his unwavering prowess as a multi-divisional champion, as he continues to make an indelible mark within the realm of martial arts, transcending boundaries and elevating the spirit of competition to unprecedented levels of excellence.