‘Reug Reug’ says he can’t make middleweight like Anatoly Malaykhin: “That’s it” 

Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane likes the idea of becoming a two-division champion. Just don't expect him to cut down the middleweight like his next opponent—Anatoly Malykhin.

Kane returned to the ring at ONE Fight Night 23 for a heavyweight kickboxing grudge match with fellow Senegalese sensation Boucher Ketchup. It took 'Reug Reug' less than one round to get the job done, brutally KO'king Ketchup with an onslaught of strikes.

With that bout in the bag, Kane will turn his attention toward a highly anticipated heavyweight MMA title clash with current three-division king Anatoly Malykhin.

Asked about potentially following in Malykhin's footsteps and going for three belts, Kane was quick to squash the idea, telling Sportskeeda MMA that he'd love to take the light heavyweight and heavyweight belts off 'Sladkiy,' but he has no interest in going down to middleweight.

"Middleweight? No. No. No need for middleweight. Only two belts. That’s it."

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'Reug Reug' ready to end Anatoly Malykhin's reign over the heavyweight division

With six wins inside the Circle—four coming by way of knockout—'Reug Reug' has more than earned his first shot at 26 pounds of gold.

On Friday, November 8, he'll attempt to cash in when he challenges Malykhin for the ONE heavyweight MMA world title at ONE 169 emanating from State Farm Arena in Atlanta Georgia.

It will be Malykhin's first time defending the heavyweight strap since trading in his interim title for undisputed gold against former champion Arjan Bhullar in June 2023. Since then, 'Sladkiy' has etched his name in the history books, claiming a third belt with a third-round knockout of Reinier de Ridder at ONE 166 to take the middleweight title home.

Will 'Reug Reug' end the reign of terror of Anatoly Malkyin, or will the Russian juggernaut add Kane to his impressive hit list which already includes 14 victims with 14 finishes to match?

Following this link to register for ONE 169: Atlanta pre-sale tickets.