Two-division ONE world champion Anatoly Malykhin isn’t one to mince his phrases. The Russian is again to taking part in his ordinary 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 in the area, which broadcasts dwell from the Lusail Sports Arena on March 1.
After efficiently claiming the de Ridder’s gentle heavyweight crown in their first encounter, the Russian behemoth is now trying to turn out to be MMA’s first simultaneous three-division world champion.
Before he makes an attempt to steal de Ridder’s maiden ONE gold, the middleweight strap, Anatoly Malykhin thinks that his former foe is still having nightmares from his first-career loss to him. They beforehand crossed paths at ONE on Prime Video 5 in December 2022.
He instructed the South China Morning Post:
“I wish him a really good sleep at night because I’m pretty sure he has nightmares about me. I’m pretty sure he sees me knocking him out every day, over and over again, so I wish him a really good rest, and I wish he could sleep better.”
Watch the total interview right here:
Relive Anatoly Malykhin’s smashing end of de Ridder
Heading into their showdown contained in the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines, then-two-division king Reinier de Ridder was touted as a favourite to maintain his unbeaten document and lightweight heavyweight world title inside his possession.
However, Anatoly Malykhin had different plans, as he broke down the Breda native from the opening bell.
Eventually, an enormous 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 celebrity in the primary occasion of ONE 166: Qatar.
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