“The fight will end up standing” - ‘Buchecha’ predicts titanic clash between behemoths Anatoly Malykhin and ‘Reug Reug’

ONE heavyweight MMA contender Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida thinks Oumar Kane's Senegalese wrestling background could help him stifle Anatoly Malykhin's high-octane takedowns.

While these two behemoths can cancel each other out when it comes to grappling, 'Buchecha' still sees Malykhin retaining his heavyweight MMA world championship, especially if this becomes a striking battle.

Malykhin and 'Reug Reug's highly-anticipated clash of titans will headline the stacked ONE 169 mega event this coming Nov. 8 inside 'The Mecca of Muay Thai' Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

'Buchecha', who's also scheduled to fight in the same card against Amir Aliakbari, spoke to ONE Championship and gave his two cents on this high-stakes five-round war.

"The fight will end up standing and Anatoly will have the advantage in the striking. I believe he will be able to knock Reug Reug out by the third round."

'Buchecha' certainly has a good grasp on 'Reug Reug's abilities after sharing the Circle with him at ONE Fight Night 13 last year.

The 971 MMA and Black Panther Sports affiliate took home the unanimous decision win and handed the BJJ legend his first MMA loss.

Still, 'Buchecha' doubts 'Reug Reug' can handle Anatoly Malykhin's ever-evolving stand-up game, particularly the speed and power of the triple champ's fists.

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Anatoly Malykhin expects a quick night at the office against 'Reug Reug'

To be fair, Anatoly Malykhin has run through every adversary on his path to three-division MMA supremacy.

While Kane's imposing physical tools give this match a great deal of intrigue, the heavyweight, light heavyweight, and middleweight MMA world champion believes he'll barely break a sweat in his upcoming title defense.

The Kemerovo, Russia native told ONE:

"The first reaction [to the Reug Reug fight] was it’s going to be easy money. He’s a fitness fighter, a fighter who lacks professional coaches, a person who trains in a fitness gym, who has never been in real fights."

ONE 169: Malykhin vs Reug Reug will air live in US Primetime free of charge for Prime Video subscribers in North America.