Anatoly Malykhin will smash Francis Ngannou, says Chatri Sityodtong

03 March 2024

In a historic night for mixed martial arts, Anatoly Malykhin made waves by clinching the ONE middleweight title at ONE 166 in Doha, Qatar, further solidifying his status as one of the sport's most formidable athletes. ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong wasted no time in hailing Malykhin as the "baddest man on the planet," expressing confidence in his ability to conquer any opponent, including former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

Malykhin's victory over Reinier de Ridder in the third round not only secured him the middleweight title but also marked his fourth consecutive performance bonus in ONE Championship. The 36-year-old Russian etched his name in the annals of MMA history by becoming a three-division champion, previously capturing the heavyweight and light heavyweight titles in ONE Championship.

In a backstage press conference following the event, Sityodtong addressed Malykhin's potential matchups with top heavyweights from other organizations. When asked about a hypothetical clash with Ngannou, Sityodtong left no room for doubt, stating, "There's no question Anatoly is the greatest heavyweight on the planet." He emphasized Malykhin's impeccable finishing record and elite wrestling skills, confidently asserting that Malykhin would overpower Ngannou.

Sityodtong extended an open invitation to heavyweight contenders worldwide, urging them to "come and join ONE Championship" to face Malykhin. He underscored Malykhin's versatility and championship pedigree, citing his remarkable achievements across three weight divisions.

Seated beside Sityodtong with his newly acquired title proudly displayed, Malykhin chimed in with a direct message to Ngannou. "Hey Ngannou, you're next – you're my chocolate pound cake. Let's go," declared Malykhin, signaling his readiness to take on the former UFC heavyweight kingpin.

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As the MMA world eagerly awaits potential cross-promotional showdowns, Malykhin's remarkable ascent to the summit of multiple weight classes has set the stage for thrilling matchups and cemented his status as a force to be reckoned with in the world of mixed martial arts.