ONE Championship: ‘He Has Started Believing His Own Hype’ - Anatoly Malykhin Unimpressed With Amir Aliakbari

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ONE Championship's heavyweight division is currently in its most fruitful state. So, the division's titleholder, Anatoly Malykhin, was sure to be on hand for the heavyweight clash this past Saturday, 15 July, at ONE Fight Night 12 between Amir Aliakbari and Dustin Joynson.

Malykhin paid close attention to the matchup that will likely determine his first World Title defense. Ultimately, Aliakbari stopped Joynson inside the opening frame, hammering the Canadian contender on the mat to force a stoppage in under two minutes of the bout.

Aliakbari's fiery post-fight comments in Bangkok, Thailand's Lumpinee Boxing Stadium goaded Malykhin into the ring, where a heated altercation took place between the two behemoths. But even in victory, Malykhin remains far from impressed with the Iranian giant's caliber of opponents.

"He has started believing his own hype. Who has he beaten in his last three fights since we met? He beat Brandon Vera, a man who was already on the decline. Then, he beat Mauro Cerilli, who had a loss before Aliakbari and who is 40 years old," Malykhin said.

"Then, he beat Dustin who hasn't even read a book about wrestling. These are all convenient opponents, all three opponents after losses. It gave him enough faith in himself to challenge the champion to a fight. It's easy money for me, and I'll be ready."

What makes this match so personal for Aliakbari is the fashion in which he fell to Malykhin when the pair first met at ONE: REVOLUTION in September 2021. "Sladkiy" was successful that night, knocking out Aliakbari inside the first frame.

But with Aliakbari's recent three-fight winning streak, Malykhin believes the success has gone to the head of the Tehran native. In fact, he has no qualms about finishing his fellow knockout artist once again.

Should the rematch be booked later this year, the Russian powerhouse predicts that he will get the job done much sooner this time around - and he plans on using his fists.

"For me, he is easy money. I saw it in his eyes, that Aliakbari doesn't understand what he is doing. He doesn't understand what is waiting for him," Malykhin said.

"If this guy thinks that he will be able to take me down and finish me from the crucifix like he did with others, then he is very delusional. After two or three of my punches, he'll just go to sleep."