Aung La N Sang ‘can’t say no’ if Anatoly Malykhin fight was offered to him

Former two-division ONE world champion Aung La N Sang is concentrating on the middleweight division at the moment, but isn't closing the door on competing at light heavyweight if the opportunity presents itself.

'The Burmese Python' once simultaneously held the ONE middleweight and light heavyweight titles until he lost both belts in 2020 and 2021 to Dutch fighter Reinier de Ridder.

Aung La N Sang has made significant strides since coming back and is positioning himself quite well for title contention in the divisions he previously ruled.

In an interview with SCMP MMA, the KillCliff FC fighter said he is focusing on the middleweight class and his fight in May against China’s Fan Rong, but admitted it would be hard to decline a shot at the light heavyweight belt against reigning champion Anatoly Malykhin if it was offered:

“It’s too early to talk, you know, but you can’t say no to it. You can’t say, if the opportunity is there anything is possible but regardless Malykhin, Reinier [middleweight champion], or whatever, nothing matters to me right now except Fan Rong.”

Watch the interview below:

Aung La N Sang has now won back-to-back bouts, most recently beating Brazilian fighter Gilberto Galvao by first-round TKO last January. He is set to return to action on May 5 in ONE’s first-ever show in the United States against Fan Rong.

Malykhin, meanwhile, became the light heavyweight world champion last December after knocking out former champion de Ridder.

The Russian slugger is also the interim heavyweight champion and is set for a unification bout against reigning champion Arjan Bhullar on March 24 at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video in Singapore.

The event will air live and for free to all Prime Video subscribers in North America.

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Aung La N Sang not rushing to world title shot, just wants to entertain the fans

Veteran Burmese-American fighter Aung La N Sang is not rushing to get a world title shot and is focused on fine-tuning his game to deliver great performances for the fans.

'The Burmese Python' recently shared that reclaiming the ONE middleweight world title from Reinier de Ridder is still a priority for him. However, he is taking it one step at a time, keeping himself active so that when the opportunity to compete for the belt comes, he will be ready.

He told SCMP MMA in an earlier interview:

“I’m sure De Ridder’s gonna need some time off, so it’s okay. I wanna stay active. I wanna keep improving as a mixed martial artist; fill in some of my holes. And just keep being a better mixed martial artist and also just keep putting on exciting shows for the fans. That to me is very important. I wanna see exciting bouts…as a fan I wanna put on great shows for the fans as well.”

Watch the interview below: