‘He Will Never Beat Me’ – Reug Reug Ready To Silence Anatoly Malykhin Once And For All At The Inner Circle On May 15

Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane wants to remind the world exactly why he sits atop the ONE heavyweight MMA division, and he has a very clear message for the man coming to take his throne.

The reigning ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion puts his title on the line for the first time against Russian two-division ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin in the main event of The Inner Circle on Friday, May 15, streaming live exclusively on live.onefc.com.

The rematch has been a long time coming. The two were originally set to clash at ONE 173 in November 2025, but an accident forced Kane out of the contest. Malykhin publicly accused the heavyweight king of stalling — a claim Kane dismissed with confidence. Now, with all unfinished business on the line, the rivals will settle their score once and for all.

“Reug Reug” first met Malykhin at ONE 169 in November 2024, claiming the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title from him in a razor-close split decision that ended the Russian’s undefeated run and handed him the first loss of his career.

Since then, the man from Black Panther Sports and TRIPL3 MMA has not stood still. With a 7-1 MMA record and five consecutive victories behind him, the 6-foot fighter has spent every moment since that historic night preparing to be even better.

Speaking to onefc.com, he said:

“I’ve changed everything, made upgrades in every skill set. The new Oumar is coming. You can expect me to be stronger, more powerful — and faster. At the same time, I think Anatoly is going to be better also. I expect him to be a lot better compared to our first fight. It would be wrong to underestimate him.”

Malykhin is no ordinary challenger. The 38-year-old carries a 14-1 professional record and remains the reigning ONE Middleweight and ONE Light Heavyweight MMA World Champion. The loss to Kane was the only blemish on an otherwise extraordinary career, and few doubt that he will arrive with a burning desire for redemption.

But Kane holds an edge that no amount of preparation can replicate. That is, he has already solved the puzzle once. He knows Malykhin’s rhythm, his tendencies, and his limits in a way that no scouting report can reveal.

Kane said:

“I know him inside and out now. It’s going to be an easy fight for me. I know who Anatoly is after fighting him in the ring. I know his movement — I know everything.”

The war of words between the two heated up in the lead-up to their originally scheduled rematch, with Malykhin’s public accusations drawing a sharp response from the defending king.

Months on, Kane has noticed a change in tone from the challenger and he has a theory about why.

He said:

“He’s quiet now because he knows I’m the better fighter. He’s not talking now because he’s scared. That’s the honest truth.

“If he talks and then he loses, that won’t be good for him. So he’s not in the position to talk much. The reality is I’m going to give him my best, again and again and again. He better be ready.”

Kane Refuses to Take Malykhin Lightly

Oumar Kane has earned the right to speak with authority about Anatoly Malykhin.

He is the only man to have defeated him. He has studied him, faced him in the ring, and beaten him when it mattered most. And while “Reug Reug” carries nothing but respect for the Russian’s accomplishments, there is no ambiguity in his mind about who the better fighter is.

Kane said:

“Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good fighter. But after facing him, now I know we’re not on the same level. There’s a big difference. Heading into this fight, I know that Anatoly and I are not on the same level. But still, I give him the respect he deserves. No doubt, he’s a good fighter. But he still can’t beat me. He will never beat me.”

Beyond Malykhin, Kane’s ambitions stretch much further. With the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title now firmly around his waist, the Senegalese fighter has no intention of sitting on the throne quietly.

He wants to be active, he wants to be challenged, and he wants to build a legacy that reflects the depth of his ability.

He offered:

“Anybody can get it. Anybody is welcome.”