ONE Championship: What’s At Stake for Anatoly Malykhin at ONE Friday Fights 22

Two-division ONE World Champion Anatoly Malykhin has taken a devastating yet nonchalanet approach to his promotional tenure. Whoever has stood before him in his 12 professional fights, "Sladkiy" smashed through to reach new heights.

But while the Russian powerhouse has picked up both the ONE Light Heavyweight and Interim Heavyweight World Titles, his next challenge will be his greatest yet since stepping in the ONE Championship ring.

That's because his next bout at ONE Friday Fights 22 on 23 June will be against Arjan "Singh" Bhullar for the latter's ONE Heavyweight World Title inside Bangkok, Thailand's famous Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.

The path to the summit has been a tumultuous one for Malykhin. It's a road that "Sladkiy" felt was nearing its destination when he dismantled Kirill Grishenko at ONE: BAD BLOOD in February 2022 for the interim strap.

However, with Bhullar's injuries and broadcast conflicts prolonging their eventual heavyweight unification clash twice, Malykhin has done all he could possibly do to keep his growing momentum on his side.

Malykhin attained the ONE Light Heavyweight World Championship last December at ONE on Prime Video 5 against former two-weight phenom Reinier de Ridder, further asserting himself as the big dog in the yard.

It's now been well over a year since the 35-year-old captured the interim heavyweight crown, and for many different reasons, 23 June will be do-or-die for the pair of heavyweight sluggers.

For Bhullar, it's an opportunity to silence the critics, restore his name, and remind everyone why he is the king among heavyweights. But for Malykhin, it's a moment he's been waiting for.

This match will not only unify the coveted heavyweight gold, it represents the culmination of Malykhin's hard work across his four outings inside the Circle. Now, he finally gets what he wants.

Greatness is what's at stake for Malykhin. With an opportunity to align himself with some of today's best battlers, it's on him to realize his potential. He's done it twice before, but a third time would certainly be a charm.

Source: Media Release