Anatoly Sladkiy Malykhin is praying nothing gets in the way of him finally going toe-to-toe with Arjan Singh Bhullar.
Their ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title unification bout has been scheduled multiple times but has never come to fruition. Now, the agreements are signed and sealed for ONE Friday Fights 22 on June 23 – and interim titleholder Sladkiy is raring to go.
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Bhullar’s injuries and contract situation caused this matchup to be postponed in the past, and Malykhin just hopes that his rival will make it to the ring for their Asia primetime clash at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Russian said:
I felt certainty that I will become the absolute ONE Heavyweight World Champion, which I believe I am already. However, there was a small technicality left – this fight with Bhullar.
I was glad to see his name on the contract when I got sent it. He’s already signed contracts three or four times and never showed up to a fight. Therefore, we will see what happens this time. The important thing is that he makes an effort to get himself right to the ring.
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As much as Malykhin likes to provoke Bhullar – someone he’s called a chicken on multiple occasions – he admits that it isn’t about the individual. Above all, he just wants to compete.
In fact, Sladkiy would take just as much pride in defeating any other top contender who wants to stand across from him in a World Title showdown. And with that in mind, he simply believes the Canadian-Indian has taken far too long to defend the gold.
Malykhin explained:
I believe that a man who doesn’t fight and who has been holding up the whole division for over two years is not a champion. He should not be fighting in any league at all.
Overall, it doesn’t matter to me what name is on the contract – be it Bhullar or Buchecha. I am happy to fight against any opponent, happy to be given another chance to show the audience my skills, [but] I hope this time the fight will happen.
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Malykhin Predicts Knockout Of Bhullar In Bangkok
Arjan Bhullar last fought in May 2021 when he stopped Brandon Vera to win the ONE Heavyweight World Championship.
Since then, Anatoly Malykhin has compiled three straight knockout wins, pushing his flawless record to 12-0 while claiming the ONE Interim Heavyweight World Title and the ONE Light Heavyweight World Title.
In his crushing form and with the wind in his sails, ONE’s 2022 MMA Fighter of the Year doesn’t think Singh will be able to keep up when they meet to unify the belts.
Sladkiy said:
He has no chance at all. I’ll just knock him out. He’ll last until the second round at the most. There is no chance for him to last for five rounds.
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It’s clear that Malykhin will accept nothing less than a finish to prove he’s the undisputed king of the heavyweight MMA division.
The 35-year-old will be hunting from the opening bell, and he promises that fans across the globe will be in for a treat.
He added:
I always aim for a knockout. I always try to be faster than my opponents and give a good show. I have to give it my all so that the audience enjoys those moments.
My fight with Bhullar is worth watching simply because I will be knocking him out. Everyone loves knockouts, when big boys fall down – beautiful!
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