Reug Reug Vs. Malykhin II: 4 Keys To Victory In ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title Bout At The Inner Circle On May 15

After suffering the first loss of his career, “Sladkiy” will arrive with aggressive adjustments, but every combination he throws steps him into dangerous territory. One explosive burst from the Senegalese warrior could settle the debate for good.

#2 Malykhin’s Elite Wrestling And Top Control

Through six fights in ONE Championship, Malykhin had never once been taken down. Kane ended that streak with a powerful slam in round one, and the tone was set for the entire fight.

For a man who holds the Master of Sports title in freestyle wrestling, it was a sobering wake-up call. Malykhin now knows exactly how Kane operates and arrives fully prepared to counter it.

This time, the challenger must pull the trigger first. His freestyle base offers a broader arsenal than Kane’s lutte-driven style, including double legs, single legs, and trips. The moment Malykhin takes the initiative on the mat, he neutralizes the defending king’s dreaded clinch game entirely.

Should “Sladkiy” secure top position, Kane’s most dangerous weapon is immediately defused. Flipping the script from their first encounter is not just a tactical adjustment, but the clearest path back to heavyweight gold.

#3 Reug Reug’s Gas Tank And Durability

Conditioning was once a question mark for Kane. He answered it with obsessive preparation and built a gas tank that belies every pound of his massive frame.

What has emerged is a more composed fighter who knows when to explode and when to conserve. He put that evolution on full display across 25 grueling minutes with Malykhin, sustaining his output while pushing the Russian into territory he had never experienced before.

No fighter in history has gone the full distance with Malykhin and won. Kane has, and that singular achievement gives him a psychological edge the Russian cannot match. Every clinch tie-up, every takedown, every grinding exchange chips away at the challenger’s reserves.

Crucially, Kane did not merely survive — he closed the championship rounds with authority. The longer this rematch goes, the more it echoes their first meeting.

#4 Malykhin’s Concussive Striking And Early Aggression

Malykhin’s 100 percent finishing rate across 14 career wins reflects an ungodly ability to separate opponents from consciousness. In this rematch, he must unleash that instinct from the opening bell.

His straight right, left hook, and overhand right all carry one-punch stopping power, and the Kemerovo native must trust those weapons before this fight devolves into another grinding war.

Early aggression carries a dividend beyond the knockout threat. Forcing Kane to prioritize defense opens the same windows Malykhin needs to change levels and establish his wrestling.

Should “Sladkiy” find his mark before Kane settles into his rhythm, the rematch could end without warning. One clean hit on Friday could be all it takes to reclaim the three-division supremacy that once made him the most feared fighter on the planet.

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