Anatoly Malykhin made history at ONE 166: Qatar by securing his third world championship in a spectacular showdown against middleweight MMA titleholder Reinier de Ridder.
Malykhin initiated the bout with a fierce pursuit for a knockout, but de Ridder effectively countered and thwarted the initial aggression. Throughout the first round, ‘The Dutch Knight’ relied on clinching to evade Malykhin’s attacks, maintaining a defensive stance.
The pattern persisted into the second round, as Malykhin persistently pressed forward in search of a decisive blow. Despite de Ridder’s attempted takedown, Malykhin adeptly defended, showcasing his defensive prowess.
Maintaining his stance, Malykhin strategically targeted de Ridder’s body, employing calculated strikes against the defending champion.
Although Malykhin intensified his assault in the closing moments of the round, he fell short of securing a finish, while de Ridder struggled to withstand the onslaught.
Entering the third round, de Ridder attempted a last-ditch takedown, yet Malykhin adeptly countered and maintained his dominant position. Utilizing his powerful strikes and knees, Malykhin overwhelmed de Ridder, leaving him vulnerable to the relentless assault.
As de Ridder attempted to regain control, Malykhin swiftly disengaged and resumed his offensive on the feet. However, the impact of Malykhin’s previous strikes proved decisive, rendering de Ridder unable to continue.
Referee Herb Dean intervened, halting the contest and declaring Malykhin the victor via TKO at 1:16 of the third round, securing the ONE middleweight MMA world championship.
With this triumph, ‘Sladkiy’ extended his unblemished record to 14-0, maintaining his remarkable 100 percent finish rate. Notably, Malykhin solidified his legacy as the first-ever three-division world champion in MMA history.
