Anatoly Malykhin reclaimed the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title on Friday, May 15. The Russian stopped reigning champion “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane in the fourth round. Referee Olivier Coste called it off at 1:54 of the frame at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
The Inner Circle main event closed out a feud that began at ONE 169 in November 2024. Kane edged Malykhin via decision then to capture the belt. He also handed the Russian his first professional loss in the process.
How the fight unfolded
Kane controlled distance early from his southpaw stance. He fired side kicks and disciplined counters as Malykhin marched forward. The Senegalese champion, 34, timed his entries and even caught the Russian with an uppercut.
Malykhin ramped up the pressure in round two. He began uncorking heavy overhand punches every time he stepped into range. Kane refused to be dragged into reckless exchanges and kept countering well.
Round three followed the same tactical pattern. Kane’s side kicks managed distance and Malykhin found cleaner entries with hooks. Even after absorbing clean punches, the Senegalese champion refused to wilt.
Round four took off on a similar note. Then “Sladkiy” landed the right cross he had promised before the fight. The punch wobbled Kane badly. Malykhin exploded forward with a barrage of punches. Coste stepped in to wave it off.
Champion bows out on his own terms
The win improved Malykhin to 15-1 with a 100 percent finishing rate. ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong awarded him a US$100,000 performance bonus. He also reclaimed his status as a three division MMA World Champion.
An emotional Malykhin then laid down his gloves in the centre of the ring. The gesture signalled the end of his fighting career. Revenge secured, the heavyweight crown back around his waist, and his place in ONE history cemented.