'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABiAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABggQAAAFBAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQSAAURMQYTFRQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYRAQACAQQDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQABRESISIx/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDM7J3xVdKyW07a4OfGfK/IostExAMGRMAlHcwlHVQz+0cGVfOT+Y5CSxxx2yxkc7GlKP51lmPmSKpziMIr7P18umm0UU5O21yurjY95HMgXgANf//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Two-division ONE world champion Anatoly Malykhin tuned in to the heavyweight clash between Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 last weekend. Turns out, ‘Sladiky’ wasn’t too impressed, to say the least.
Shortly after the bout, the undefeated Russian mauler made his thoughts known in a recently expired Instagram story. Anatoly Malykhin, whose unapologetic candor is as sharp as his brutal punches, unloaded a torrent of criticism for Gane. He lambasted the UFC star for his rather lackluster performance, especially for a fighter with so much hype behind him.
The 35-year-old openly shared his disdain for the French fighter’s non-existent grappling defense, saying:
“Everyone’s saying UFC, UFC, top 5, top 5, best fighter in the world. There’s Ciryl Gane for you, top 2 in the world and he’s never heard of wrestling and has no idea what that is. And this is the #2 heavyweight of the world and everyone is saying UFC has the best fighters? Please.”
Truth be told, Gane offered little to no resistance once Jones grabbed a hold of him and submitted him with impunity. If the roles were reversed, Malykhin likely wouldn’t even be in that precarious position to begin with.
The reigning ONE light heavyweight and interim heavyweight world champion boasts an incredible takedown defense, which perfectly complements his concussive power on the feet.
Malykhin’s scary grappling defense was on full display in his last outing against the erstwhile undefeated Reinier de Ridder at ONE on Prime Video 5 last year. The Russian standout used his godly base and heavy hips to shake off the feared grappler’s takedown attempts with ease.
Once he broke down RDR’s spirit, Malykhin took away his consciousness with one of the most fearsome knockouts in the promotion’s history.
Anatoly Malykhin will now look to cement his place as one of the best heavyweight fighters in all of MMA in his upcoming unification bout against Arjan Bhullar at ONE Fight Night 8 on March 24.
The match will emanate from Singapore Indoor Stadium and air free for existing Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
Reinier de Ridder admits he "f**ked up" in KO loss to Anatoly Malykhin
Three months removed from the devastating knockout loss at the hands of Anatoly Malykhin, Reinier de Ridder finally broke his silence and addressed the elephant in the room.
In a recent interview with SCMP MMA’s Tom Taylor, the reigning ONE middleweight world champion admitted Malykhin was simply the better fighter that night:
“I got caught, man. I f**ked up. I just f**ked up, that’s what happened. Like, after one of the first punches I got hit with, I just wasn’t myself. I made a few mistakes entering into the pocket and I just came up short. Got hit, got hurt, and that’s what it is.”
Watch the full interview below:
