As far as Reinier de Ridder is concerned, there is only one heavyweight king in ONE Championship–Anatoly Malykhin.

The Breda native will defend his light heavyweight crown against interim heavyweight titleholder Malykhin in the main event of ONE on Prime Video 5 on Friday, December 2; and he makes it clear that the Russian star deserves to be called the divisional top dog over ONE Heavyweight World Champion Arjan Bhullar.

De Ridder’s reasoning is based on one simple point–Malykhin’s willingness to fight under any conditions.

Reiner De Ridder views Anatoly Malykhin as the real heavyweight champion

“[Anatoly] Malykhin is the real heavyweight champ, as far as I’m concerned, because Bhullar has been inactive for so long. So, yeah, it’s the right fight. Yes, it’s a cool fight to make,” he said.

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“Sladkiy” was scheduled to meet Bhullar in a Heavyweight World Title unification bout earlier this year, but the Indian star, who hasn’t competed since winning the strap in May 2021, pulled out due to injury.

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Keen to stay active, Malykhin immediately jumped at the opportunity to drop down a division and challenge De Ridder when ONE came calling.

Reiner De Rider vs Anatoly Malykhin is expected to be an enthraller

Their main event battle at ONE on Prime Video 5 will now serve as the perfect way for the promotion to end the year on a high; as both fighters have been electric in the Circle this year.

De Ridder defended his ONE Middleweight World Title in back-to-back appearances against Kiamrian Abbasov and Vitaly Bigdash. And Malykhin saw off Kirill Grishenko to claim the interim heavyweight strap at ONE: BAD BLOOD in February.

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Both superstars are undefeated in their careers, with Malykhin sporting a perfect 11-0 resume and De Ridder holding a 16-0 slate, so fans are guaranteed an epic battle when these two clash inside the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines next Friday.