“Best heavyweight fight out of UFC” – Fans desperate for Francis Ngannou to take on ONE Championship’s three-weight champ Anatoly Malykhin

Anatoly Malykhin earns his third ONE Championship title at ONE 166. Should ONE FC pursue a cross-promotional bout with PFL's Francis Ngannou?

“Best heavyweight fight out of UFC” – Fans desperate for Francis Ngannou to take on ONE Championship’s three-weight champ Anatoly Malykhin

Anatoly Malykhin secures his third ONE Championship belt at ONE 166 (via Imago/MMA Fighting)

ONE 166 was one of the most anticipated events of this year. It had amazing fights full of rivalries and potential. Some bouts were not as exciting and ended in disappointment. However, the headliner was the most exciting fight of the card. Anatoly Malykhin made MMA history by capturing a third ONE Championship World Title. He stopped rival Reinier de Ridder to take his middleweight belt at ONE 166 in Qatar. Fight fans are now impatient for his fight against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.

Malykhin went into the bout as ONE’s light heavyweight and heavyweight king. He is considered one of the best strikers in the organization. The match opened with de Ridder showcasing great striking. He even dropped Malykhin with a jab early on. But the Russian tanked forward behind thudding punch combinations regardless. Malykhin repeatedly trapped de Ridder against the wall to land heavy body shots and knees over three rounds. 

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‘The Dutch Knight’ tried to wrestle but lacked the power to complete takedowns against the sturdy Russian fighter. Reinier de Ridder was exhausted by round three due to being battered by Malykhin’s relentless pressure. He tried to pull guard as a last-ditch effort. But Malykhin quickly escaped back to his feet to resume striking. With de Ridder unable to stand back up, referee Herb Dean waved off the bout at 1:16 of round three. Malykhin had conquered his third division via TKO.

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The 36-year-old juggernaut simultaneously holds the light heavyweight, heavyweight, and middleweight belts. That makes Malykhin the first three-division king in ONE Championship history. Malykhin’s epic performance also earned a $50,000 bonus from ONE CEO, Chatri Sityodtong. His fight was one of the most exciting and anticipated fights of the year.

Fight fans reacted to Anatoly Malykhin’s success at ONE 166 and his prospective fight against Francis Ngannou

Anatoly Malykhin made history by winning a third MMA belt at ONE 166. Fight fans reacted to his achievement and the event overall on social media. He simultaneously owned the middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight belts.

Fight fans call for Anatoly Malykhin's potential fight against Francis Ngannou
Fight fans call for Anatoly Malykhin’s potential fight against Francis Ngannou (via Imago/ South China Morning Post)

Fight fans took to social media to express their reactions to this historic moment. Some suggested future matchups for Malykhin, with Francis Ngannou being the most requested one. Some fans were disappointed at the half-empty arena in Qatar. Here are some of the reactions from fight fans:

The ONE 166 showcased exciting bouts for the crowds. However, the strawweight title fight between Jarred Brooks and Joshua Pacio was a disaster. Malykhin’s success at ONE 166 removed the bad taste from the mouth of fight fans.

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