ONE Interim Heavyweight World Champion Anatoly Malykhin is just days away from the biggest opportunity of his MMA career. This Friday, December 2, the Russian powerhouse will move down a weight class to challenge light heavyweight king Reinier de Ridder as he looks to become a two-division World Champion.

While Malykhin sports an impressive unbeaten record of 11-0 and jaw-shattering punching power, he comes into his main event showdown at ONE on Prime Video 5 as an underdog to De Ridder, who is also unbeaten and already a two-division titleholder in his own right.

Still, “Sladkiy” has all the tools and ability to shock the world and hand the Dutchman his first professional blemish in front of an American primetime audience. Ahead of ONE on Prime Video 5, let’s take a close look as to why Malykhin can dethrone De Ridder.

#1 His Streak Of Thrilling Knockouts

The Russian comes into this bout riding a red-hot streak of knockout victories. Before he joined ONE Championship in March 2021, Malykhin had already begun that streak, reeling off a pair of knockouts against respected opponents on the regional scene.

He followed that up with a trio of sensational finishes inside the Circle, all thanks to his massive punching power.

READ MORE – 3 Fighters Who Stand To Gain the Most at ONE on Prime Video 5

The 34-year-old hopes to keep that momentum going and pick up his sixth straight knockout in the most important fight of his life.

#2 His Wrestling Background

Against De Ridder, Malykhin will be dealing with arguably the best grappler and submission specialist in all of MMA. Given that opponent, “Sladkiy” will need to lean on his background in freestyle wrestling to keep the bout standing, where he has the best chance of victory. 

READ MORE – Reiner De Ridder Eager to Fight “Real” Heavyweight Champion Anatoly Malykhin Over Inactive Arjan Bhullar

Unlike many of De Ridder’s previous opponents, Malykhin is a decorated wrestler who, on paper, should be able to defend the Dutchman’s wide variety of takedowns. So long as both combatants are on their feet, the Russian has a real chance of springing the upset.

#3 His Size Advantage

Although he is the shorter athlete, the interim heavyweight king comes into the main event of ONE on Prime Video 5 as the heavier, naturally larger athlete.

A two-division ONE World Champion, De Ridder was competing at middleweight less than six months ago, while Malykhin has been fighting at heavyweight his entire career, regularly squaring off with men that weigh near the 265-pound limit.

That size difference could pay dividends for the Russian on his quest to capture his second ONE World Title.

READ MORE – “I’ll Hunt for His Head” – Anatoly Malykhin Reveals Brutal Gameplan to Knockout Reinier De Ridder Within the First Two Rounds

Fans in the U.S. and Canada can tune in to ONE on Prime Video 5 for free with an Amazon Prime membership on Friday to see if Malykhin can dethrone De Ridder.