Anatoly Malykhin is not all about collecting belts, he is also very much interested in being an elite world champion. At ONE 166: Qatar on March 1, “Sladkiy” will have a shot at history when he challenges Reinier de Ridder for the ONE Middleweight MMA World Championship inside the Lusail Sports Arena. 

If he wins, the Russian behemoth will become the first three-division World Champion in MMA, as he currently owns the heavyweight and light-heavyweight crowns. Ahead of their blockbuster matchup, Malykhin explained why he is willing to sacrifice even more weight by challenging for gold two divisions lighter than his natural one.

Anatoly Malykhin is out for legacy and isn’t afraid of risks

“At heavyweight, my skills allow me to consider myself the best. I have no weaknesses. And I’m one of the best light heavyweights, for sure,” he told ONE in an interview. “I can’t say that about myself in the middleweight division because this will be my first fight in this weight, and it would be arrogant to say that I’m the best without ever having fought in it.” 

The pair is certainly familiar with each other. At ONE on Prime Video 5 in December 2022, they faced each other for the first time, as De Ridder defended his light-heavyweight strap in a battle of erstwhile undefeated fighters.

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Malykhin had his way against “The Dutch Knight” and proceeded to deal the Combat Brothers representative his first professional loss in MMA. The 35-year-old hopes that he can still generate the same amount of power at a weight class that is ruled firmly by De Ridder.

Should he win as comfortably as the last time, Malykhin hopes to fight anyone who dares challenge for any of his belts in the future. He even shared how he plans on making weight. “First of all, the plan now is to see how I feel at 93 kilograms [205 pounds]. If it goes well and I feel fine, then I will defend all the belts. The more fights, the better for me. It’s simple. I love to fight,” he said. 

Malykhin shares his strategy

“The main strategy is to stay away from the fridge after 6 p.m. If I don’t come near the fridge after that, I’m fine – I’m making weight. It is clear that cardio is also important, but the main thing is not to raid the fridge after 6 p.m.,” he bared.

Also Read: “Something No One Has Ever Done Before” – Anatoly Malykhin Motivated to Make History at ONE 166: Qatar

Clearly, a straight-headed approach from the champion himself. His ambitions are high and his skillset is perhaps even higher. The only question is, will it keep giving him the results he needs if he keeps changing weight classes? There’s no one way to tell. We’ll find out on March 1st.

Also Read: Anatoly Malykhin Looking to Create History Against Reinier De Ridder at ONE 166 in Qatar, Aims for Three-Division Supremacy