“Enough wrestling” - Anatoly Malykhin challenges Reinier de Ridder to a stand-up fight

Russian knockout juggernaut 'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin is calling out Reinier de Ridder to trade with him on the feet. Both fighters have perfect records and will be putting their unblemished runs on the line at ONE on Prime Video 5.

In interviews, the Dutch-born de Ridder explained that he will be aiming for a first-round submission finish against Anatoly Malykhin in their main event showdown. In response, 'Sladkiy' has challenged 'The Dutch Knight' to stand with him.

Speaking in an interview with ONE Championship, Malykhin said:

"Any wrestling is good for MMA, but especially freestyle wrestling. But I'm not going to wrestle, and neither is he, I think. Enough wrestling, de Ridder, we have to give an entertaining show, we have got to trade punches - everyone is tired of wrestling already. Let’s show some nice knockouts and have a stand-up fight."

Malykhin has won the vast majority of his fights via knockout, including when he earned the ONE interim heavyweight world championship earlier this year. Contrastingly, de Ridder was victorious in most of his fights by way of submission, including earning ONE's light heavyweight and middleweight world titles.

De Ridder and 'Sladkiy' will battle on December 2 for the ONE light heavyweight world championship.

ONE on Prime Video 5: De Ridder vs. Malykhin broadcasts live on Friday, December 2, and is free for fans in the United States and Canada with an Amazon Prime subscription.

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Anatoly Malykhin is excited by the upcoming challenge

It will be a clash of styles when Anatoly Malykhin and Reinier de Ridder go to war on December 2, as a slick submission specialist collides with a powerful knockout machine.

While speaking to ONE in an interview, Russia's 'Sladkiy' noted how excited he is about the challenge:

“I’m excited about challenges like this. He’s a great fighter, a great athlete. I will be happy to share the circle with him. I’m sure it will be the event of the year."

When discussing the fight, he had an honest assessment and showed massive respect for his opponent. Malykhin continued:

"He has good jiu-jitsu. His transitions are on point. However, I have good wrestling, too. My base is freestyle wrestling, it’s going to be hard for him to take me down. I cannot say that a man with a 16-0 record has any weaknesses, especially one who holds two belts. I think the one who has the stronger character, who is better prepared, who wants to win the belt more will win.”