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South Korean knockout artist Kang Ji Won believes Oumar Kane, better known by MMA fans as 'Reug Reug' — has more than earned his shot at three-division world champion Anatoly Malykhin.
As announced by ONE Championship, Malykhin will put his ONE heavyweight MMA world championship on the line on Friday, November 8, when he heads to State Farm Arena to headline ONE 169: Atlanta.
There, 'Sladkiy' looks to defend his crown against Senegalese standout 'Reug Reug' in a match that has Fight of the Fight written all over it.
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Offering his thoughts on the massive heavyweight clash ahead of his own return to the Circle this Friday night, Kang Ji Won suggested that 'Reug Reug' has put in the work and deserves his shot at Malykhin's heavyweight strap.
"It’s not my time yet," Won told Sportskeeda MMA. "I understand that I’m on the way back up to work towards a world title shot. 'Reug Reug' had the opportunity to get the world title shot and I think it’s within his right and abilities to fight for the title."
Kang Ji Won's path to gold starts this Friday
Kang Ji Won has some work to do before bagging his own ONE world title opportunity, but if he puts on a solid showing at ONE Fight Night 23 on July 5, he could find himself towards the top of his list.
Standing in his way of another big win on martial arts' biggest global stage will be Kirill Grishenko.
The Belarusian bruiser returns to the Circle for the first time in nearly two years and is determined to make a statement inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Will Won score his fifth win under the ONE banner and put himself in line for a title shot, or will Grishenko snap his two-fight losing skid and thrust himself into the promotion's intriguing heavyweight title picture?
ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE Fight Night 23 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, July 5.
