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Reigning three-division MMA world champion Anatoly Malykhin sees very few threats on the UFC's heavyweight roster.
Returning to the Circle at ONE 166 in Qatar, Malykhin etched his name in the history books, scoring a third-round knockout against Reinier de Ridder to take the Dutchman's middleweight MMA belt — adding it to a collection that already includes the ONE light heavyweight and heavyweight MMA world titles.
Considered by many to be one of the pound-for-pound best fighters on the planet, 'Sladkiy' was recently asked in an interview with Red Corner MMA if there were any UFC heavyweights who could hang with him inside the cage.
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"Who could be real opposition for me among the UFC heavyweights? So it's Jon Jones without a doubt," Malykhin said. "He's the leader. It would be the hardest fight of my career. Very strong mentally and very experienced."
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Malykhin also believes that the UFC's interim heavyweight champion could pose a potential threat.
As for the rest of the roster, not so much.
"I like [Tom] Aspinall a lot. A very well-rounded fighter. Great in all aspects of the game. As for the rest of them, I see no threat at all. They wouldn't last a single round against me."
Anatoly Malykhin expects to meet Reinier de Ridder again
Despite owning two decisive victories over Reinier de Ridder, taking world championship gold from 'The Dutch Knight' on two separate occasions, Anatoly Malykhin believes the two warriors with cross paths once again.
“I think he’s a solid fighter," Malykhin said in an interview with ONE Championship. "He still deserves another chance, but first, he needs to do two fights and get on a winning streak. And I need a heavyweight fight, then one at light heavyweight, and then I’m ready for a middleweight trilogy. This feud is not over.”
For now, Malykhin will focus on defending his heavyweight crown against one of three potential contenders — Ben Tynan, Amir Aliakbari, and Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane.
Who would you like to see 'Sladkiy' defend his heavyweight belt against first?
