Anatoly Malykhin makes an attempt to reclaim the ONE heavyweight title when he faces Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane in a rematch within the co-main occasion at ONE 173, which is about for Ariake Area in Tokyo on Sunday, Nov. 16.
ONE Championship officers confirmed the information to MMA Combating on Monday.
The heavyweights are scheduled to conflict for a second time after “Reug Reug” pulled off the huge upset to beat Malykhin and take his title once they first met again in November 2024. The struggle performed out over 5 rounds with “Reug Reug” securing a razor-close cut up resolution, which served as the primary lack of Malykhin’s profession following 14 consecutive wins.
The win improved “Reug Reug” to 7-1 however he hasn’t fought since changing into champion.
Now the 33-year-old heavyweight from Senegal is about to run it again with Malykhin nearly precisely one 12 months after their first encounter.
Previous to his setback within the first struggle, Malykhin was broadly considered one of many two greatest heavyweights on the earth exterior of the UFC — an honor he shared with Francis Ngannou.
His undefeated run by way of ONE Championship additionally included capturing titles in two extra weight courses whereas remaining the one fighter to beat present UFC middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder.
Malykhin defeated de Ridder twice between 2022 and 2024 with a pair of knockouts.
Now Malykhin has to aim to proper the wrongs within the first struggle whereas “Reug Reug” makes an attempt to solidify his standing as champion within the rematch scheduled for November.
The principle occasion at ONE 173 is a featherweight kickboxing title unification bout as present champion Superbon defends his belt towards interim champion Masaaki Noiri.
