UFC Champ Islam Makhachev Names the 'Most Dangerous' Man on the Planet
UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev bestowed a lofty title on one of ONE Championship's biggest stars following his historic win last weekend.
Already a two-division titleholder in ONE, Anatoly Malykhin became the first fighter in the promotion’s history to claim three belts simultaneously when he defeated Reinier de Ridder in their headlining rematch at ONE 166 in Qatar.
“Spartak” has stopped every opponent he’s faced across his 14-fight professional career, and following the 36-year-old’s latest victory Makhachev dubbed him the “most dangerous guy [on] the planet” in a story on his Instagram.
Makhachev lauded Malykhin in a post on Instagram
(Instagram)
That declaration is a lofty compliment for Malykhin given that Makhachev is ranked #1 in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings, and ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong also seemed to share that sentiment after ONE 166 when asked how “Spartak” would fair against top heavyweights from other promotions.
“There’s no question Anatoly is the greatest heavyweight on the planet,” Sityodtong declared. “He would take Francis Ngannou down and smash him.”
Malykhin forced de Ridder to quit in the third round at ONE 166.
(ONE Championship)
A meeting between Ngannou and Malykhin is unlikely given that “The Predator” is currently signed to the PFL and is set to compete in his second pro boxing match on March 8 when he takes on Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia. Sityodtong has also already shot down the idea of ONE Championship co-promoting with any organization other than the UFC.
Fans probably won’t get to see Malykhin take on any challenges outside of ONE Championship any time soon, however, with three belts now in his possession there are plenty of options for his next outing in the promotion's heavyweight, light heavyweight, or middleweight divisions.
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