Anatoly Malykhin on potential fight with BJJ legend ‘Buchecha’: “I will have to update my skills in jiu-jitsu”

Now that Anatoly Malykhin has two world titles under his belt, everyone wants to know who’s next for the Russian powerhouse?

‘Sladkiy’ Anatoly Malykhin recently pulled off the unexpected at last week’s main event at ONE on Prime Video 5. He defeated long-reining double world champion Reinier de Ridder in emphatic fashion for the ONE light heavyweight world title.

With Malykhin being both the heavyweight and light heavyweight champion of the world, discussions about who could be his next challenger have begun.

As ‘Sladkiy’ settled into his chair at the post-event presser, he was asked if he would like to go up against another jiu-jitsu wizard in Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida, for his next heavyweight defense:

“I like Buchecha, he's a good guy, maybe I’ll fight Buchecha next year. I really like him as a person so I wouldn't want to fight him honestly. But if he keeps calling me out, of course, I will accept the fight but he and De Ridder, I cannot compare them because he's so much better than Reinier in jiu-jitsu. So if I happen to fight him, I will have to update my skills in jiu-jitsu.”

Watch the presser below:

17-time jiu-jitsu world champion Marcus Almeida is undefeated in MMA with a stellar record of 4-0. He swiftly submitted all three opponents with a variety of submission techniques, including an impressive North-South choke against Anderson Silva in his promotional debut.

As Malykhin pointed out, ‘Buchecha’ would be his toughest challenge to date. Fortunately for him, the Brazilian black belt is in no rush to get a shot at the world title.

Despite obliterating a former foe of Malykhin’s, Kirill Grishenko at ONE on Prime Video 1, he’s taking fights as they come. Thus far, he hasn’t really called Malykhin out as the Russian said, but if the opportunity arrives, ‘Buchecha’ is more than willing to fight for the gold.

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Anatoly Malykhin says he sees himself fighting again in 2-3 months

Anatoly Malykhin plans to head back to the gym as soon as he can, following his first-round knockout finish against Reinier de Ridder.

Healthy and uninjured, the Russian fighter still looked fresh at the post-event presser which led to his next question. Anatoly Malykhin was asked how soon he’d like to get inside the Circle again to defend either world title, he replied:

“I just want to dedicate this time to my family because I was getting ready for this fight really hard and I just want to spend some time with them. We’re going to train with my coach Johnny and soon we’ll start getting ready, so probably, hopefully in two-three months we’ll be ready for the next one.”