Anatoly Malykhin raising his hands in triumph inside the ONE Championship cage after a hard-fought victory under bright arena lights.

They Thought Anatoly Malykhin Was Unstoppable… Until Reug Reug Changed Everything: The Rise, Fall, Revenge, and Legendary Retirement of a MMA Icon

The Myth of Invicibility in Mixed Martial Arts

In the brutal, unpredictable world of professional mixed martial arts, the label "unstoppable" is thrown around far too casually. Fighters dominate divisions, amass impressive winning streaks, and conquer multiple weight classes, yet history inevitably catches up to them. Every titan eventually meets their mountain. For the indomitable Russian powerhouse Anatoly "Sladkiy" Malykhin, that myth of absolute invincibility seemed unbreakable for years. He tore through opponents with terrifying efficiency, establishing a legacy of absolute dominance across multiple divisions in ONE Championship.

Yet, combat sports thrive on drama, evolution, and the shock of the unexpected. Enter Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane—a colossal athletic freak of nature from Senegal with otherworldly wrestling credentials and raw, explosive power. When Reug Reug shattered Malykhin’s pristine undefeated record in November 2024, it sent shockwaves through the global martial arts community.

What followed was one of the most compelling redemption arcs in modern combat sports history: a grueling path back to the top, a high-stakes championship rematch in May 2026, a brutal reclaiming of the heavyweight crown, and a shocking, emotional retirement that closed the book on a legendary 15-1 career with a 100% finishing rate.

In this comprehensive feature, we trace the extraordinary journey of Anatoly Malykhin—from his unstoppable rise as a three-division world champion, through his humbling fall against Reug Reug, his triumphant vengeance, and his final, unforgettable chapter inside the ONE Championship cage.

Part I: The Reign of "Sladkiy" — The Rise of a Three-Division Monster

Before the upsets, before the tactical adjustments, and before the historic trilogy of emotions, Anatoly Malykhin was viewed as a force of nature that simply could not be stopped. Nicknamed "Sladkiy" (meaning "Sweet" in Russian, a delightful juxtaposition to his ferocious fighting style), Malykhin possessed a rare combination of elite freestyle wrestling pedigree, relentless forward pressure, and catastrophic one-punch knockout power.

Conquering Multiple Weight Classes

In modern MMA, winning a single world championship in a major global organization is the pinnacle of a career. Winning two division titles simultaneously is elite territory reserved for all-time greats. Malykhin, however, pushed the boundaries of history by becoming the first fighter in ONE Championship history to simultaneously hold world titles across three distinct divisions: heavyweight, light heavyweight, and middleweight.

The Heavyweight Throne: Utilizing his thunderous grappling transitions and bone-crushing hooks, Malykhin dismantled top contenders with ease, establishing himself as the undisputed king of the heavyweight division.
Ruthless Efficiency: What truly separated Malykhin from his peers was his finishing instinct. Whether taking opponents down and unleashing a relentless ground-and-pound assault or landing clean, concussive strikes on the feet, Malykhin never left fights in the hands of the judges. His 100% finishing rate was a testament to his killer instinct.

Fans and analysts alike began to wonder if anyone on the planet possessed the physical attributes required to test the Russian champion. He was dominant, confident, and seemingly untouchable. But in heavyweight MMA, it only takes one opponent with the right mix of size, athleticism, and wrestling to alter the landscape forever.

Part II: The Paradigm Shift — When Reug Reug Changed Everything

In November 2024, the MMA world witnessed a seismic upset. Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane, a Senegalese wrestling superstar renowned for his jaw-dropping physical strength and explosive athleticism, stepped into the cage to challenge Malykhin for the ONE Heavyweight World Championship.

The November 2024 Clash

Many analysts expected Malykhin’s polished mixed martial arts experience and stamina to eventually overwhelm the challenger. Instead, Reug Reug brought a tactical masterclass wrapped in terrifying physical power.

Matching the Wrestling: For the first time in his career, Malykhin found himself out-muscled in grappling exchanges. Reug Reug’s formidable wrestling background neutralized Malykhin’s usual takedown dominance.
The Five-Round Battle: The fight extended into deep waters, testing both men's conditioning. Reug Reug’s relentless aggression, powerful clinch work, and effective striking defense frustrated the champion over five grueling rounds.

When the judges rendered their decision, history was made. Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane handed Anatoly Malykhin the very first professional loss of his career and captured the prestigious ONE Heavyweight World Championship. The aura of invincibility was shattered. Malykhin was mortal after all.

Part III: The Path to Redemption — The May 2026 Rematch

For a champion accustomed to absolute supremacy, defeat is a bitter pill. Rather than fading into the background or taking easy tune-up fights, Malykhin demanded what every true warrior desires: immediate retribution and a chance to reclaim his throne.

The stage was set for a monumental showdown in May 2026. The stakes could not have been higher: the heavyweight world championship was once again on the line, alongside Malykhin’s legacy, pride, and redemption.

Inside the Championship Rematch (May 2026)

The rematch was a masterclass in tactical warfare, showcasing how much both fighters had evolved since their initial encounter.

The Chess Match: The first four rounds were a tense, high-stakes chess match. Both men respected each other's immense power, trading calculated striking exchanges and cautious grappling battles. Malykhin’s corner emphasized patience, urging him to look for fatigue in the champion.
The Championship Rounds Breakthrough: As the fight entered the championship stretch in the fourth and fifth rounds, the relentless pace began to take its toll. Malykhin, drawing on his deep reserves of championship experience, found the precise opening he had been hunting for.
The Finishing Sequence: With explosive suddenness, Malykhin landed a crushing, picture-perfect right hand that rocked Reug Reug. Sensing his moment of destiny, the Russian powerhouse swarmed forward with a furious, unanswered barrage of punches against the cage. Recognizing the danger and seeing the champion unable to intelligently defend himself, the referee intervened, halting the contest.

The revenge was complete. Anatoly Malykhin had reclaimed the heavyweight crown, restored his status as a legendary three-division world champion, and proved to the world that his competitive fire burned brighter than ever.

Part IV: The Ultimate Surprise — A Legendary Retirement

In combat sports, champions often stay too long, chasing ghosts of their former glory until age and wear-and-tear rob them of their greatness. True legends, however, know when to write the final chapter on their own terms.

Immediately following his triumphant victory and the belt being wrapped around his waist in May 2026, Malykhin did something that left the arena in stunned silence and awe. In the center of the ring, surrounded by the bright lights, the roaring fans, and his corncorners, he unbuckled his gloves and placed them gently in the canvas.

It was the universal sign of retirement.

Malykhin walked away from active competition at the absolute pinnacle of his powers. His professional career concluded with an immaculate 15-1 record, highlighted by a 100% finishing rate—a statistical anomaly in modern heavyweight MMA that underscores his utter dominance and finishing prowess.

The Official Video Feature

To relive the dramatic narrative, explosive highlights, and profound emotional moments of Anatoly Malykhin’s career, watch the official video feature below:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is Anatoly Malykhin?

Anatoly "Sladkiy" Malykhin is a legendary Russian mixed martial artist who made history as the first fighter in ONE Championship to simultaneously hold world titles across three weight divisions (heavyweight, light heavyweight, and middleweight).

What happened in the first fight between Malykhin and Reug Reug?

In November 2024, Oumar "Reug Reug" Kane defeated Anatoly Malykhin via a closely contested decision over five rounds, handing Malykhin the first loss of his professional career and taking the ONE Heavyweight World Championship.

When did the rematch take place, and who won?

The highly anticipated rematch took place in May 2026. Malykhin secured a dramatic victory by landing a crushing right hand followed by a barrage of punches, forcing a referee stoppage in the later rounds to reclaim the heavyweight crown.

What is Anatoly Malykhin's final career record?

Malykhin retired immediately following his May 2026 victory with a stellar professional record of 15-1, maintaining an incredible 100% finishing rate.

Conclusion: Cementing a Legacy in MMA History

The story of Anatoly Malykhin is a masterclass in resilience, discipline, and competitive greatness. He showed us how to build an empire, how to handle the crushing weight of a first defeat, how to climb the mountain of redemption through grueling discipline, and finally, how to walk away at the exact peak of glory.

As fans look back on the golden era of heavyweight martial arts in ONE Championship, the name Anatoly "Sladkiy" Malykhin will forever be synonymous with unstoppable power, unforgettable battles, and ultimate sportsmanship.