Malykhin Avenges His Only Loss, Then Retires in the Ring

Anatoly Malykhin retired as a three-division ONE Championship champion after knocking out Oumar "Reug Reug" Kane in round four at ONE Friday Fights 154, held at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. The finish came just under two minutes into the round and gave him back the heavyweight title.

The two had met once before, in November 2024 at ONE 169. Kane won a split decision that night, which was the first defeat of Malykhin's career and cost him the heavyweight belt. Malykhin still held the middleweight and light heavyweight titles, both won from current UFC middleweight Reinier de Ridder, and waited for the rematch. It was first expected last year, but a car accident forced Kane to withdraw from the fight at ONE 173.

A chess match until round four

The rematch took place as part of The Inner Circle fights, which are exclusive to ONE fans. Kane did not use his wrestling for most of the fight, and at times it turned into a measured kickboxing match.

In the fourth round Kane was backed into a corner, a scene similar to their first meeting. Malykhin connected with a right hand that rocked him against the ropes. A couple more punches and then knees finished the fight. Chaos followed as both teams and officials poured into the ring. Kane's team had to be restrained and looked unhappy with the outcome, possibly with the knees, though knees to a downed opponent are legal in ONE.

Gloves off

After the bout Malykhin removed his gloves, signaling his retirement. Promotion officials later confirmed that he had called it a career. He ends it as the only triple champion in a major MMA promotion.

He is 38 and finishes with a 15-1 record. His wins include Kane, de Ridder, UFC veteran Arjan Bhullar, Kirill Grishenko and RIZIN alum Amir Aliakbari.

Source: Cageside Press