Perfect Destruction: Reliving Every Anatoly Malykhin Victory In ONE Championship

Once he trapped Machado in the crucifix, the end was inevitable. The Kemerovo native delivered a sustained barrage of punches and elbows while maintaining tight control, leaving his opponent unable to defend effectively.

The referee stepped in late in the opening round, sealing a dominant debut that highlighted both his technique and composure.

Knockout Power Elevates Malykhin To Contender Status

At ONE: Revolution in September 2021, the Tiger Muay Thai representative demonstrated that his finishing ability extended far beyond mere grappling.

Against Iranian powerhouse Amir Aliakbari — a physically imposing opponent with his own wrestling pedigree — Malykhin chose to keep the fight standing. He established his range early with jabs and low kicks before turning up the intensity with heavier combinations. As the exchanges developed, his timing became sharper and his confidence grew.

A clean right hand disrupted Aliakbari’s balance and forced him onto the back foot. Moments later, another powerful combination landed flush, dropping the Iranian to the canvas. The Russian followed up just enough to force the stoppage before the end of the first round.

This performance showed that “Sladkiy” could dismantle elite competition in multiple ways, further solidifying his status as a top contender.

Interim Gold Secured With Trademark Knockout

Malykhin’s first opportunity at ONE gold came against Kirill Grishenko at ONE: Bad Blood in February 2022, and he approached it with controlled aggression.

From the opening bell, he pressured forward, using feints and heavy punches to keep his opponent guessing. When opportunities presented themselves, he mixed in takedowns to maintain control and wear Grishenko down. The first round saw him dictate the pace, landing short strikes and establishing dominance.

In the second round, he increased the tempo. Grishenko attempted to evade the incoming strikes by leaning back, but that movement created an opening. Malykhin stepped in and delivered a perfectly timed right hand that landed clean and ended the contest instantly.

The knockout secured the ONE Interim Heavyweight MMA World Title and earned him two US$50,000 performance bonuses, reinforcing his reputation as a devastating finisher.

Dethroning De Ridder With Stunning First-Round KO

At ONE on Prime Video 5 in December 2022, Malykhin moved down a weight class to challenge Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder for the ONE Light Heavyweight MMA World Title in one of the most anticipated matchups of his career.

De Ridder attempted to close the distance and bring the fight to the ground, but the Russian’s takedown defense proved to be a major factor. Each attempt was neutralized, forcing the contest to remain on the feet where Malykhin held a clear advantage.

The One Chance Team representative used a measured approach, targeting the body with punches before mixing in uppercuts and hooks. As the round progressed, the pressure and accuracy began to break De Ridder down. A final sequence of power shots, highlighted by a crushing right hand, sent the Dutchman to the canvas.

Follow-up strikes forced the stoppage, handing De Ridder his first professional loss and making Malykhin a two-division World Champion. The performance also earned him a US$100,000 bonus.

Overwhelming Bhullar In Unification Bout

The long-awaited unification bout against Arjan “Singh” Bhullar took place at ONE Friday Fights 22 in June 2023, with the undisputed heavyweight MMA crown at stake.

From the start, Malykhin controlled the tempo with forward pressure. He consistently backed Bhullar into the ropes, where he unleashed combinations to the head and body. The sustained offense limited the champion’s ability to mount any meaningful response.

Bhullar showed resilience by surviving until the third round, making it the longest fight of Malykhin’s career. However, the momentum remained firmly in favor of the Russian. Sensing fatigue, “Sladkiy” increased his output and closed the distance once more.

After overwhelming his opponent with strikes, Malykhin brought the fight to the ground and delivered a series of heavy punches that forced the referee to intervene. The third-round TKO secured the Russian the undisputed ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title and earned him another US$50,000 performance bonus.

History Made With Third ONE World Title

Malykhin’s most historic performance came at ONE 166: Qatar in March 2024, when he faced De Ridder again for the ONE Middleweight MMA World Title.

The rematch presented new challenges, as De Ridder showed improved striking and even found early success. The Russian was briefly tested but remained composed, relying on his experience and physicality to regain control.

As the fight progressed, Malykhin began to impose his pace. He pressed forward with steady combinations, targeting the body to drain his opponent’s energy. By the later rounds, the cumulative damage was evident, and De Ridder struggled to maintain the same level of output.

In the third round, Malykhin increased the pressure and continued to land clean strikes. When De Ridder could no longer continue, the referee brought an end to the contest.

With the victory, Malykhin became the first-ever three-division MMA World Champion in ONE history and earned another US$50,000 performance bonus, further cementing his legacy through a run defined entirely by finishes.

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