Anatoly Malykhin Seeks Redemption in Heavyweight Title Rematch Against Reug Reug at ONE 173

Nearly one year after suffering the first loss of his career, Anatoly Malykhin is set to return with revenge on his mind as he faces Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane in a highly anticipated heavyweight title rematch at ONE 173, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

The co-main event showdown will see Malykhin attempt to reclaim the ONE Championship heavyweight crown that was taken from him in a stunning upset by Reug Reug in November 2024. That night, the powerful Senegalese wrestler defied the odds to earn a split decision victory after five grueling rounds — handing Malykhin his first career defeat and snapping his undefeated 14-0 record.

Since then, Reug Reug (7-1) has not returned to action, making this rematch his first title defense and a chance to silence any doubts surrounding the razor-thin decision. The now 33-year-old champion looks to prove the first fight was no fluke and solidify his position atop ONE’s heavyweight division.

Before the loss, Malykhin was widely considered one of the top two heavyweights in the world outside the UFC, alongside Francis Ngannou. His dominance in ONE Championship was unmatched, as he captured titles in three weight divisions and delivered knockouts over elite opponents — most notably two stoppage wins over UFC standout Reinier de Ridder between 2022 and 2024.

Now, Malykhin must recalibrate and correct the mistakes from his previous performance, while Reug Reug aims to validate his rise as a true champion with another statement win.

The card will be headlined by a featherweight kickboxing title unification bout, where reigning champ Superbon collides with interim titleholder Masaaki Noiri, promising another explosive matchup in ONE 173’s return to Japan.

With the stakes sky-high and redemption on the line, ONE 173 is shaping up to be a must-watch event.