Reug Reug Vs. Malykhin II: 4 Keys To Victory In ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title Bout At The Inner Circle On May 15
Two of MMA’s most compelling and larger-than-life figures collide once more in the main event of The Inner Circle on May 15.
Reigning ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion“Reug Reug” Oumar Kane defends his coveted belt against two-division MMA World Champion Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin in one of the most highly anticipated rematches in combat sports. The blockbuster showdown goes down live on live.onefc.com from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The rivalry ignited at ONE 169 in November 2024, when Kane stunned the world to become Senegal’s first-ever ONE World Champion, edging Malykhin in a breathlessly close five-round war. A sequel was immediately in order, but a serious car accident sidelined “Reug Reug” and delayed the inevitable.
Now, Kane enters his first title defense with his sights set on establishing an undeniable reign. Malykhin arrives determined to reclaim three-division MMA glory and erase the lone blemish on his otherwise pristine record.
Fate has reunited these two larger-than-life figures, and here is what each man must do to walk away with 26 pounds of gold.
#1 Reug Reug’s Evolved Striking And Power Punching
When Kane arrived on the global stage, he brought a wrestling pedigree forged in the ancient art of Senegalese lutte alongside raw but unmistakable power. Relentless work has since turned him into a well-rounded martial artist.
The balance and rotational force built on the pit sands of Dakar translated seamlessly into his hands. In their first meeting, “Reug Reug” surprised Malykhin with a piercing jab that served as both a range-setter and a gateway to takedowns.
At 6 foot and 260 pounds, Kane generates exceptional leverage, and a single clean connection can floor anyone in the division.
After suffering the first loss of his career, “Sladkiy” will arrive with aggressive adjustments, but every combination he throws steps him into dangerous territory. One explosive burst from the Senegalese warrior could settle the debate for good.
#2 Malykhin’s Elite Wrestling And Top Control
Through six fights in ONE Championship, Malykhin had never once been taken down. Kane ended that streak with a powerful slam in round one, and the tone was set for the entire fight.
For a man who holds the Master of Sports title in freestyle wrestling, it was a sobering wake-up call. Malykhin now knows exactly how Kane operates and arrives fully prepared to counter it.
This time, the challenger must pull the trigger first. His freestyle base offers a broader arsenal than Kane’s lutte-driven style, including double legs, single legs, and trips. The moment Malykhin takes the initiative on the mat, he neutralizes the defending king’s dreaded clinch game entirely.
Should “Sladkiy” secure top position, Kane’s most dangerous weapon is immediately defused. Flipping the script from their first encounter is not just a tactical adjustment, but the clearest path back to heavyweight gold.
#3 Reug Reug’s Gas Tank And Durability
Conditioning was once a question mark for Kane. He answered it with obsessive preparation and built a gas tank that belies every pound of his massive frame.
What has emerged is a more composed fighter who knows when to explode and when to conserve. He put that evolution on full display across 25 grueling minutes with Malykhin, sustaining his output while pushing the Russian into territory he had never experienced before.
No fighter in history has gone the full distance with Malykhin and won. Kane has, and that singular achievement gives him a psychological edge the Russian cannot match. Every clinch tie-up, every takedown, every grinding exchange chips away at the challenger’s reserves.
Crucially, Kane did not merely survive — he closed the championship rounds with authority. The longer this rematch goes, the more it echoes their first meeting.
#4 Malykhin’s Concussive Striking And Early Aggression
Malykhin’s 100 percent finishing rate across 14 career wins reflects an ungodly ability to separate opponents from consciousness. In this rematch, he must unleash that instinct from the opening bell.
His straight right, left hook, and overhand right all carry one-punch stopping power, and the Kemerovo native must trust those weapons before this fight devolves into another grinding war.
Early aggression carries a dividend beyond the knockout threat. Forcing Kane to prioritize defense opens the same windows Malykhin needs to change levels and establish his wrestling.
Should “Sladkiy” find his mark before Kane settles into his rhythm, the rematch could end without warning. One clean hit on Friday could be all it takes to reclaim the three-division supremacy that once made him the most feared fighter on the planet.
