Reug Reug To Defend Heavyweight MMA Gold Against Anatoly Malykhin In Epic Rematch At The Inner Circle On May 15

ONE Championship has officially confirmed a colossal main event for The Inner Circle on Friday, May 15.

Reigning ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane will defend his coveted belt against former divisional king Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin in a highly anticipated rematch.

This monumental showdown will broadcast live in Asia primetime from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and fans can watch it exclusively on live.onefc.com.

The animosity between these two athletes runs incredibly deep, stemming from years of heated trash talk, physical pre-fight scuffles, and a deeply personal build-up to their initial encounter.

Their simmering rivalry finally boiled over inside the ring at ONE 169 in November 2024. Entering that bout with an unblemished record and holding unprecedented three-division MMA World Champion status, Malykhin appeared virtually invincible. However, Kane shocked the global fan base over the course of a grueling 25-minute war and made history for Senegal.

Utilizing his punishing Lutte wrestling background, powerful clinch work, and heavy hands, “Reug Reug” successfully disrupted the Russian’s forward pressure. Earning a hard-fought split-decision victory, the Senegalese behemoth handed Malykhin the first defeat of his storied career, claimed the heavyweight MMA crown, and firmly cemented his status at the pinnacle of the world’s largest martial arts organization.

The blockbuster sequel was originally scheduled for ONE 173 last November, but “Reug Reug” was involved in a serious car accident in the United Arab Emirates and withdrew from the contest.

But now, nearly six months later, the long-awaited rematch between these heavyweight monsters is finally back on, and it promises to answer the burning questions left in the wake of their first battle.

Armed with immense physical strength and a constantly evolving striking arsenal, the Senegalese beast enters his first World Title defense completely determined to prove that his win over “Sladkiy” was no fluke. He plans to close this chapter of their rivalry in decisive fashion and establish a lengthy, undeniable reign over the heavyweight MMA ranks.

However, Malykhin arrives with a massive chip on his shoulder and a singular focus on redemption. The former three-division ruler and current ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight MMA World Champion originally built an aura of invincibility through an astonishing string of early stoppage victories.

Possessing concussive punching power and elite wrestling of his own, the Russian juggernaut is hungrier than ever to reclaim his lost crown and remind the global fan base of his top-shelf fighting skills.

When the pair finally make their way to the ring on May 15, the bitter trash talk and lingering tension will give way to pure, unadulterated combat.

The stakes have never been higher for either martial artist. Kane possesses the ultimate opportunity to silence his remaining doubters and solidify a legacy-defining reign, while Malykhin fights to erase the sole blemish on his otherwise pristine resume.

In the end, only one man will leave Lumpinee Stadium with the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title draped over his shoulder, and fans will find out who that man is next month.

Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news about The Inner Circle.

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