Oumar "Reug Reug" Kane is sending a clear message to the heavyweight division: the throne is his, and he's not giving it up without a fight.
The reigning ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion is set to make his first title defense against Russian powerhouse Anatoly "Sladkiy" Malykhin in the main event of The Inner Circle on Friday, May 15. The bout will stream live exclusively on live.onefc.com, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
This rematch has been brewing for months. Originally scheduled for ONE 173 in November 2025, the fight was postponed after an accident forced Kane out of the contest. Malykhin didn't hold back, publicly accusing the champion of stalling. Kane fired back with characteristic confidence, dismissing the claims and promising to settle their unfinished business once and for all.
The first meeting between these two warriors took place at ONE 169 in November 2024. In a razor-close split decision that sent shockwaves through the MMA world, "Reug Reug" claimed the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title, ending Malykhin's undefeated run and handing him the first loss of his career.
Since that historic night, Kane hasn't rested on his laurels. The Black Panther Sports and TRIPL3 MMA representative boasts a 7-1 professional record with five consecutive victories. At 6 feet tall, he's used every moment since his title win to sharpen his game.
"I've changed everything, made upgrades in every skill set," Kane said. "The new Oumar is coming. You can expect me to be stronger, more powerful — and faster. At the same time, I think Anatoly is going to be better also. I expect him to be a lot better compared to our first fight. It would be wrong to underestimate him."
Malykhin is no ordinary challenger. The 38-year-old Russian carries a 14-1 professional record and remains the reigning ONE Middleweight and ONE Light Heavyweight MMA World Champion. That loss to Kane is the only blemish on an otherwise extraordinary career, and few doubt he'll arrive in Bangkok with a burning desire for redemption.
But Kane holds one advantage that no amount of training can replicate: he's already solved the puzzle once. He knows what it takes to beat a champion of Malykhin's caliber, and he's ready to prove that the first victory was no fluke.
"He will never beat me," Kane declared. "I've already shown the world what happens when we step in the cage together. On May 15, I'll show them again."
For fans of combat sports, this rematch represents everything that makes MMA great: elite athletes at the peak of their powers, personal history, and a title on the line. Whether you're a seasoned fight fan or new to the sport, this is one event you won't want to miss. And for those looking to channel their inner champion, there's no better time to gear up with performance-driven apparel that matches the intensity of the world's best athletes.