“Your code will get cracked” - Anatoly Malykhin says constant evolution is necessary at the top

Reigning and undisputed ONE heavyweight, light heavyweight, and middleweight MMA world champion 'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin of Russia is not one to rest on his laurels.

In fact, the 36-year-old Kemerovo native believes a fighter at the highest level needs to constantly evolve, else be found out.

In a recent interview with Red Corner MMA, Malykhin stressed on the importance of diversifying fighting skills.

'Sladkiy' stated:

"You need to add new moves. Your opponents study you and see how you prepare. You have to surprise them in every fight if you want to remain a champion. If you don’t want to, just keep doing what you’re doing, your code will get cracked."

'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin is set to defend his ONE heavyweight MMA world title against Senegalese wrestling sensation Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane.

The two lock horns at ONE 169: Atlanta, which broadcasts live from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, November 8th.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.

'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin will never underestimate pure grapplers: "It's a whole new game"

Triple champ 'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin is one of the most dominant players in the game today, but even he knows never to underestimate his opponents, especially those who know how to grapple.

The Russian wrestler believes that grappling is such a dangerous skill set to face in MMA competition, and says he's always constantly trying to upgrade his skills in this department.

He said:

"Then, I understood that I can go against grapplers, especially with striking involved. Then, when I could use my elbows, I became a totally different grappler. Grappling with and without strikes is like night and day, similar to freestyle grappling. In freestyle grappling, there’s distance, when you start receiving body checks, it’s a whole new game."