Despite all the trash talk, 'Reug Reug' admits it'll be "really hard" to overcome Anatoly Malykhin at ONE 169

'Reug Reug' Oumar Kane heads into his ONE heavyweight MMA world title fixture against Anatoly Malykhin beaming with confidence. But part of him also knows he'll have it all to do at ONE 169.

The Senegalese warrior will attempt to do what no man has done when he steps through the ropes inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium — hand the three-division MMA world champion a defeat.

Despite plenty of talk about putting 'Sladkiy' to sleep, even labeling him a fake world champion, the Black Panther Sports and ReugReug MMA representative didn't spot the same amount of confidence in a recent interview with ONE Championship.

Talking about his opponent's strength and whether or not he'd live up to his promise, 'Reug Reug' replied:

"Malykhin punches good. He moves well. Man, the fight is going to be really hard against Anatoly, I'm telling you now."

'Sladkiy's' punching power has truly been a sight to behold on the global stage thus far, but the same can be said for Kane, who's finished four of his seven assignments inside the distance.

The 32-year-old heads into his first world title off a streak of four victories, and he'll want to take that to five and have gold wrapped around his waist when ONE 169 is done and dusted in Bangkok, Thailand, next Friday, Nov. 8.

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'Reug Reug' blames Anatoly Malykhin for starting their series of online banter

Though 'Reug Reug' has enjoyed every jibe aimed in the direction of the three-division world champion, he admits that he was merely playing along to what came his way.

Pointing his fingers at Malykhin as the instigator, the Senegalese told the promotion:

"It's not me [who started it]. It's Anatoly talking bullsh*t. I didn't start this. That guy is talking too much."

Catch the two trade leather in the main event of ONE 169, available live in U.S. primetime to active Amazon Prime Video subscribers.