Anatoly Malykhin Gunning To Become Three-Weight World Champion At ONE 166

In June 2023, Anatoly Malykhin achieved two-weight World Champion status in ONE Championship by knocking out Arjan Bhullar and claiming heavyweight MMA gold.

It was Anatoly Malykhin second World Champion title win in a row, following his capture of the light heavyweight crown in his clash with Reinier de Ridder in December 2022.

Many fighters would sit back and bask in that success, but Malykhin has no plans to slow down in the world’s largest martial arts organization. 

At ONE 166: Qatar on Friday, 1st March, he’ll collide with De Ridder, once again, to challenge the Dutchman for his ONE Middleweight MMA World Title.

ONE Championship has crowned multiple two-weight and two-sport champions in its 11 years in the game, but no athlete has ever held three belts simultaneously, which is what is motivating Malykhin most of all.

“I agreed to this challenge because it’s something no one has ever done before me,” he asserted.

“Sladkiy” eyeing gold in a third division throws up a variety of interesting obstacles. Yes, his opponent is an intimidating figure who has dominated the middleweight ranks for over three years. But Malykhin will also have to worry about both making weight and performing at his best while there.

The Russian’s opinion is that he who dares wins. And he’s already got ideas in mind for if the gamble pays off on March 1. 

“First of all, the plan now is to see how I feel at 93 kilograms [205 pounds]. If it goes well and I feel fine, then I will defend all the belts. The more fights, the better for me. It’s simple. I love to fight,” Malykhin stated.

“At heavyweight, my skills allow me to consider myself the best. I have no weaknesses. And I’m one of the best light heavyweights, for sure.

“I can’t say that about myself in the middleweight division because this will be my first fight in this weight, and it would be arrogant to say that I’m the best without ever having fought in it.”