ONE Championship: Anatoly Malykhin Aiming For Historic Triple-Crown Reign In 2024

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Two-weight ONE World Champion Anatoly Malykhin is all about legacy. His fists have allowed him to conquer the light-heavyweight and heavyweight MMA divisions in ONE Championship. And even though both of his shoulders are laced with gold, he's far from satisfied.

After earning his second consecutive World Title in June 2023, "Sladkiy" guns for the ONE Middleweight MMA World Championship against former foe Reinier de Ridder at ONE 166: Qatar on 1 March.

No man has ever held three crowns consecutively, and Malykhin intends on being the first. "I agreed to this challenge because it's something no one has ever done before me," Malykhin said.

Malykhin's reign of terror throughout multiple divisions in the world's largest martial arts organization has seen the Russian stop every combatant in front of him. One of those names on "Sladkiy's" list includes ONE middleweight king De Ridder.

But in order to meet "The Dutch Knight" again, Malykhin's first challenge comes in making the middleweight limit comfortably. Should he pass that test, the Russian juggernaut believes he'll be able to enjoy an extremely active 2024.

"First of all, the plan now is to see how I feel at 93 kilograms [205 pounds]. If it goes well and I feel fine, then I will defend all the belts," Malykhin said. "The more fights, the better for me. It's simple. I love to fight."

Malykhin has easily made the limits of both heavyweight and light-heavyweight en route to becoming a two-weight ONE World Champion, but making middleweight healthily poses a fresh challenge for the Russian.

Making moves in three different weight categories would certainly set Malykhin apart from the rest. He who dares, wins. And the Russian is willing to find out if he has what it takes to perform at his very best in an all-new division.

"At heavyweight, my skills allow me to consider myself the best. I have no weaknesses. And I'm one of the best light heavyweights, for sure," Malykhin said.

"I can't say that about myself in the middleweight division because this will be my first fight in this weight, and it would be arrogant to say that I'm the best without ever having fought in it."