“Malykhin wants to become a three-time ONE champion and make history” – fighter manager

Russian Anatoly Malikhin is seriously determined to become ONE’s champion in three weight classes simultaneously and make promotion history, the fighter’s manager Alexander Skaredin told .

On Friday, the Russian defeated Canadian Arjan Bhullar by technical knockout in the third round of the ONE Friday Fights 22 tournament and added the heavyweight title to the light heavyweight championship belt.

“I am overwhelmed with emotions. I am happy! And for Tolya, and for her family, and for our team. It’s another step beyond where we haven’t been. Tolya sets himself the ultimate challenge when he needs to go beyond borders. It is awesome. If I’m not mistaken, this is Tolya’s first fight that crossed the line in the third round. This is probably an indicator of Bhullar’s level. We showed that to defeat the ONE champion, we need two and a half rounds. Tole great respect.

As for the future… More than once in our discussions, Tolya has said he wants to be a three-time champion. He is ready to move up to middleweight to clinch a third belt. It is clear that this must be discussed, agreed with the league. In my opinion, if Tolya goes for it and manages to win the third belt, then he will go down in history, because no one has ever done that. For our part, we will help him in any way possible so that he continues to perform and show the world what an ordinary person can achieve,” Skaredin told .

Malykhin, 35, now has 13 wins and no losses. Prior to that, the fighter fought in December 2022 against Rainier de Ridder, where he won the light heavyweight belt. Bhullar, 37, suffered the second defeat of his career with 11 wins. De Ridder holds the ONE middleweight belt.

The ONE Friday Fights tournament was broadcast live on the channel.