Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye grants heavyweight MMA king Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane title of Knight of Order of Merit

Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane continued to make history more than a month after his stunning world title win earlier this year.

Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye granted Kane the rank of Knight of the Order of Merit in a ceremony at the Palace of the Republic in Senegal's capital city of Dakar.

The Knight of the Order of Merit is one of the highest distinctions a Senegalese national could achieve and is often given to civilians and military personnel who've exemplified the nation's identity.

President Faye wrote on X that he elevated Kane and world champion kickboxer Tafsir Ba to Knight of the Order of Merit for proudly representing Senegal on the global stage.

He posted:

"I had the pleasure of receiving in audience our compatriots Oumar Kane alias Reug Reug and Mouhamed Tafsir Ba, respectively world champion of #MMA and #KickBoxing, whom I elevated to the rank of Knight of the Order of Merit. Their exemplary career deserves this distinction. Through them, it is all combat sports that I wanted to honor, by reiterating the State's support."

Kane did the impossible when he beat Anatoly Malykhin for the ONE heavyweight MMA world title in the main event of ONE 169 in November at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

Kane scored a split decision win over Malykhin to wrest the heavyweight MMA world title and put a stop to the Russian knockout machine's perfect streak.

Malykhin, though, still holds the ONE middleweight and light heavyweight MMA world titles.

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President Bassirou Diomaye Faye calls Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane's world title victory an inspiring moment for Senegal

Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane's world title win in Bangkok didn't just elevate his career but brought Senegal to the forefront of the MMA world.

In a previous social media post, President Faye said Kane's victory over Malykhin at ONE 169 served as an inspiration to Senegal's youth:

"Congratulations to Oumar Kane, aka Reug Reug, for making history by becoming the first Senegalese MMA heavyweight world champion. Through his courage, determination, and talent, he honors Senegal and inspires an entire generation. Our nation is proud of this remarkable feat."