“Reug Reug” Oumar Kane (6-1) graduated from raw talent to genuine ONE heavyweight world title threat this past weekend at ONE Fight Night 13.
The Senegalese wrestling sensation may have entered his contest with previously undefeated star Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida (4-1) as the underdog, but he managed to overcome the grappling legend via unanimous decision in a genuine “Fight of the Year” contender at the Friday, August 4 event.
The world is now Kane’s oyster, so we thought it would be a good idea to break down who might be next for the in-form slugger.
Anatoly Malykhin
Two-weight ONE world champion Anatoly Malykhin (13-0) is eagerly awaiting the first challenger to his newly acquired heavyweight strap, and he has seen what Kane can do firsthand, given he was in the crowd inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Boxing Stadium last Friday night.
“Sladkiy” has laid waste to ONE’s heaviest MMA division since his debut in 2021, yielding four crushing knockout wins in the weight class – as well as one world title-winning performance at light heavyweight.
Kane has stepped forward from the pack with his victory against “Buchecha,” and it might come at an ideal time for the Senegalese star.
A clash between him and Malykhin could prove too hard to pass up for the ONE brass if the Russian king chooses to defend the heavyweight strap in his next fight.
Amir Aliakbari
Amir Aliakbari (13-3) has been simply devastating as he seeks a chance to right the wrongs of his knockout loss to Malykhin in 2021.
The former Greco-Roman wrestling world champion has reeled off three knockout victories since that defeat, putting him firmly alongside Kane at the front of the heavyweight contender queue.
If Malykhin opts to defend his light heavyweight belt next, then a Kane vs. Aliakbari world title eliminator is likely the move to make, and the matchup between the hulking athletes from two separate corners of the wrestling world would be intriguing to say the least.
Marcus Almeida
“Reug Reug” might want to look further up the rankings, but for purely selfish reasons, given how entertaining their first fight was, we think a rematch with Almeida would be a tantalizing option.
Kane and Almeida stole the show on August 4, and despite the unanimous decision result, it was a close call. So, an immediate rematch isn’t out of the realms of possibility.
The timing would make perfect sense if Aliakbari were to get the first shot at Malykhin’s heavyweight crown, too.
And even if it weren’t straight away, there would be no complaints from the combat sports world if the ONE Fight Night 13 classic was to be revisited.
