Anatoly Malykhin offers prediction on pivotal heavyweight MMA clash between 'Buchecha' and Amir Aliakbari

ONE heavyweight, light heavyweight, and middleweight MMA world champion Anatoly Malykhin will be keeping a close eye on Amir Aliakbari and Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida's epic heavyweight MMA showdown at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. 'Reug Reug'. The event goes down on Friday, Nov. 8, inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Speaking with ONE, Malykhin shared his thoughts on the titanic encounter:

"Aliakbari has stepped up his game recently and is feeling strong in MMA. His boxing has improved, his cardio is on point, and his grappling has always been solid. So, 'Buchecha' could face real challenges here. But if 'Buchecha' can jump in for a takedown early in the fight and manage to bring Aliakbari down, he might secure the victory."

He also added:

"If the fight drags on, it'll be tough for 'Buchecha', as he tends to lose his footing when taking hits and can forget his jiu-jitsu. That's why I'm backing Aliakbari in this fight."

Momentum will be on Aliakbari's side ahead of this potential world title eliminator with 'Buchecha' after winning his fourth-straight fight in ONE by thoroughly dismantling Arjan Bhullar at ONE 166: Qatar this past March.

---

Anatoly Malykhin foresees another $50,000 performance bonus with knockout win at ONE 169

Anatoly Malykhin envisions himself taking home a $50,000 performance bonus at ONE 169 by knocking out Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane in his first defense of the ONE heavyweight MMA crown.

The Golden Team fighter gleefully outlined his plans to secure another performance bonus in an interview with ONE:

"The bonus machine is me. I'll knock him out in the third minute, just like I said before."

ONE 169 will air live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.