Three-division ONE MMA world champion Anatoly Malykhin believes that the showdown between fellow Russian fighter Dmitry Menshikov and Thai Sinsamut Klinmee in their Muay Thai fight will be a very competitive affair.
The two are scheduled to face off in a lightweight Muay Thai clash at ONE Fight Night 22: Sundell vs Diachkova on May 3 in Bangkok, Thailand. It is part of the 11-fight event happening at the famed Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Speaking to ONE Championship in an interview, Malykhin weighed in on the Sinsamut-Menshikov Muay Thai clash, highlighting that while Sinsamut is a tough fighter, Menshikov is well-trained, battle-tested and can be a handful for anyone.
'Sladkiy' said:
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"Sinsamut is an excellent fighter -- strong, resilient, and well-trained. But Dmitry has a long list of successful fights. He represents the excellent Kuzbass school of Muay Thai, which in my opinion is the best in the world."
At ONE Fight Night 22, both Sinsamut and Menshikov are out to extend their respective two-fight winning runs and fortify their standing in the lightweight Muay Thai division, now ruled by new world champion Alexis 'Barboza' Nicolas of France.
ONE Fight Night 22 is headlined by the ONE women's strawweight Muay Thai world title fight between reigning champion Smilla Sundell and undefeated Russian challenger Natalia Diachkova. It will air live and for free at U.S. primetime for existing Prime Video subscribers in North America.
Anatoly Malykhin says he has fun watching ONE fights live
The fact that Anatoly Malykhin is interested in the clash between Sinsamut Klinmee and Dmitry Menshikov is not at all surprising as he is having fun watching ONE Championship fights live.
Currently living in Thailand as he competes under the ONE banner, 'Sladkiy' said he makes it a point to catch the promotion's live events in the area, especially at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, whenever possible.
The three-division ONE MMA world champion shared to ONE Championship:
"I keep going to see ONE cards just to have a good time with my family. I just love fights and I love ONE, so we go there to have fun and get high from this energy, from the energy of the stadium and the fans."
Given that ONE Fight Night 22 will be held at Lumpinee, it is highly likely that Anatoly Malykhin will be present in the arena enjoying the matches and cheering for his fellow athletes.