Reug Reug Ready to Silence Anatoly Malykhin Again at ONE 173

As the countdown begins for their highly anticipated rematch, ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane remains unfazed by Anatoly Malykhin’s trash talk. Set to headline ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, Kane and Malykhin are poised for another collision that could reshape the heavyweight division.

Kane, who captured the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title from Malykhin via split decision at ONE 169, has already heard it all before. From the moment he dethroned the Russian powerhouse, critics and rivals—especially Malykhin—have questioned the legitimacy of his victory. Malykhin has since promised to reclaim the throne, claiming Kane’s days as champion are numbered.

But Kane is staying cool under pressure.

“This is a fight, you know? It’s normal. I’m ready for everything Anatoly will bring,” Kane said. “I know he’s gonna come for me, he’s going to push me, he’s gonna talk rubbish. I know all that.”

Malykhin, a former two-division ONE World Champion, has turned to psychological warfare in the lead-up to the rematch, attempting to rattle Kane through taunts and bold predictions. Still, the Senegalese juggernaut refuses to be pulled into the war of words. For him, the focus remains on preparation, performance, and proving he’s more than just a product of Senegalese wrestling.

Kane’s journey to the top of the heavyweight mountain is rooted in his grappling dominance. A star in Senegalese wrestling circles, many assumed his game was one-dimensional. But behind the scenes, “Reug Reug” has been transforming—evolving into a complete martial artist with threats beyond the clinch and takedown.

“I think [Malykhin] thought about wrestling too much. But it’s normal. When somebody comes to fight Oumar, you think about wrestling,” Kane explained. “But I have more than just wrestling, man. I have boxing, I have jiu-jitsu, I have everything, bro. I train hard.”

This fight will be about more than the belt—it’s a chance for Kane to show the world the full range of his skills. His confidence isn’t just in his grappling but in the work he’s put into refining every facet of his game. By committing himself to developing high-level striking and submission grappling, Kane has become a more dangerous and unpredictable fighter than ever before.

As for Malykhin, his own résumé is undeniably impressive. A knockout artist with championship wins in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, the Russian remains one of the most feared competitors in MMA. But Kane believes that a more well-rounded version of “Reug Reug” will emerge victorious again—this time without the controversy.

The Ariake Arena will bear witness to a pivotal moment in ONE Championship history. Can Malykhin reclaim his former glory, or will Kane’s evolution into a complete fighter leave no doubt about who the true king of the heavyweights is?

Come November 16, Reug Reug isn’t just defending a title—he’s defending his identity as a new-generation heavyweight and a symbol of African excellence in global MMA.