The most anticipated heavyweight fight in ONE Championship history has a date once more, and ONE interim heavyweight world champion Anatoly Malykhin (12-0) has a message for his upcoming rival.

“Sladkiy” will face the division’s returning king, Arjan Bhullar (11-1), at ONE Friday Fights 22 on June 23, and there’s no secret that the bout has been a long time in the making.

Malykhin and “Singh” were scheduled to lock horns twice in 2022, but injuries and contractual issues scuppered both matchups.

The Russian knockout artist has repeatedly referred to Bhullar as a “chicken” and claimed that the Canadian-Indian star was afraid to face him.

And with the new date now set, Malykhin has reignited his fiery war of words.

“I am sure he’s got the guts to finally do it. There is no other way for him. If he doesn’t show up, ONE will have to sanction him somehow, I think,” he said. “It’s time to cook some chicken legs soon.”

Bhullar has been inactive since his ONE heavyweight world title-winning performance against Brandon “The Truth” Vera in May 2021.

A combination of injuries and contractual disputes have kept him sidelined since that fateful night, but he now claims to be ready to take on “Sladkiy” to unite the divisional crowns.

For his part, Malykhin has been on nothing short of a warpath in “Singh’s” absence.

The unbeaten 35-year-old has earned four stoppage victories in ONE Championship, which includes his interim heavyweight title-winning performance against Kirill Grishenko in February 2022, as well as his light heavyweight world title win over Reinier de Ridder last December.

Given his body of work, it is unsurprising that he sees himself as the rightful king of the heavyweight division, and he intends to continue his trend of early nights when he takes on Bhullar at ONE Friday Fights 22.

“This belt is already mine. I am the king, I was the king, and I will remain the king,” Malykhin asserted. “(I will win) by a knockout in the first round.”