MMA legend Rich Franklin wants massive rematch between monsters ‘Reug Reug’ and Anatoly Malykhin for heavyweight MMA throne

Count MMA legend and ONE Championship Vice President Rich Franklin to those who want Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane and Anatoly Malykhin to run it back for the heavyweight MMA world title. And if possible, he wants it this time to take place inside the cage instead of a ring.

The ONE executive shared this in an inteview with fellow legend and now-retired ONE world champion Demetrious Johnson on the latter's MightyCast podcast, highlighting how a rematch between the two heavyweight stalwarts would make for an engaging contest.

Franklin said:

"But I'll be interested in watching a rematch between Anatoly and 'Reug Reug,' especially if we could do that one in the cage instead of the ring."

Check out what he had to say below:

'Reug Reug' seized the heavyweight belt from Malykhin in their title match at ONE 169 on Nov. 8 inside the ring of the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. He did himself a lot of favor by making early inroads in the contest by taking down 'Sladkiy' and pouring in telling blows.

The Russian powerhouse tried to make up for lost ground but was kept at bay by the Senegalese fighter, who held on tough for the win in their five-rounder.

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Anatoly Malykhin wants shot at reclaiming heavyweight belt from 'Reug Reug'

With the way things went down in his title clash with Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane in November, Anatoly Malykhin wants to have shot at reclaiming the heavyweight gold from the current champion.

The former divisional king made this clear after being dethroned as heavyweight top dog by the Black Panter Sports standout back in November by decision, saying:

"I think a rematch with him is inevitable because our first fight was so close. We need a second fight to settle it."

The defeat was the first for Anatoly Malykhin in 15 professional matches and effectively ended his reign as a three-division ONE world champion. Apart from the heavyweight belt he lost, he also holds the middleweight and light heavyweight world titles.