Anatoly Sergeevich Malykhin (Russian: Анатолий Сергеевич Малыхин; born January 11, 1988) is a Russian mixed martial artist and wrestler. Malykhin is signed to ONE Championship where he is the current Light Heavyweight World Champion, and Middleweight World Champion. He is the first fighter in history to win major MMA championships in three weight classes and the first to hold them simultaneously. A professional competitor since 2016, Malykhin has also competed for Fight Nights Global. As of March 17, 2024, he is ranked as the #14 light heavyweight in the world by Fight Matrix.[9]

Anatoly Malykhin
Malykhin in 2019
BornAnatoly Sergeevich Malykhin
(1988-01-11) January 11, 1988 (age 36)
Kemerovo, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Native nameАнатолий Малыхин
Other namesSladkiy
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight224 lb (102 kg; 16 st 0 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
Reach78 in (198 cm)
Fighting out ofPhuket, Thailand
Mytishchi, Moscow Oblast, Russia
TeamTiger Muay Thai
Raty Team
Golden Team[1]
TrainerVladimir Osiya (MMA)[2]
Vladimir Zakharushkin (wrestling)[3]
WrestlingMaster of Sport in freestyle wrestling[3][4]
Years active2016–present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins14
By knockout10
By submission4
Losses1
By decision1
Amateur record
Total4
Wins4
By knockout2
By submission2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  Russia
Men's freestyle wrestling
Russian Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Krasnoyarsk 120 kg[5]
President Cup of Buryatia Republic
Gold medal – first place 2013 Ulan-Ude 120 kg[5]
Submission grappling
UWW European Championship
Gold medal – first place 2016 Rome +100 kg[6]
Russian Championship
Silver medal – second place 2016 Naro-Fominsk +100 kg[7]
Amateur mixed martial arts
WMMAA World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2017 Astana +93 kg[8]

Malykhin is a Master of Sport in freestyle wrestling,[3][4] and won a bronze medal at the 2013 Russian championship.[5] He also won gold in submission grappling at the 2016 UWW European championships[10] and is a 2017 WMMAA world champion in amateur mixed martial arts (MMA).[3][11]

Background

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Malykhin was born on January 11, 1988, in Kemerovo, Kemerovo Oblast, Soviet Union (now Russian Federation). He began wrestling in the fifth grade and won several youth championships.[12] In 2013, he won gold at the President Cup of Buryatia Republic in freestyle wrestling and placed third at the Russian national championship as a heavyweight.[5] Malykhin was later disqualified for two years because he did not appear for doping tests, which he claims was due to a misunderstanding.[12][13] In 2016, Malykhin competed in submission grappling, winning at the championships for the Kemerovo region and the Siberian Federal District to qualify for the All-Russian championships. Malykhin was the runner-up at the All-Russian championships,[7] qualifying for the UWW European championships. At the European grappling championships in July, Malykhin won gold in the 100+ kg division.[10][12][14][6]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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According to Malykhin, there were no prospects for wrestlers in his native Kemerovo, despite the fact that the city had many good coaches and athletes. Malykhin was repeatedly invited to Moscow, where he met coach Vladimir Osiy, who became his mentor.[12]

Malykhin made his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut in September 2016, defeating Ilya Gunenko in the first round. He would compete again three months later against Murad Kalimetov at Battle on the Volga Border 2016, winning the bout by submission.[14]

Amateur world championships

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In May 2017, Malykhin competed at the Russian championship in amateur MMA, defeating Dagestani Salimgerey Rasulov. In October 2017, Malykhin competed at the WMMAA amateur world championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. He fought in the heavyweight (over 93 kg/205 lb) division, defeating Spanish fighter Oswaldo Gil and Greek fighter Athanasios Barkas to qualify for the final, where he defeated Uzbek fighter Azamat Bahodurzoda by technical knockout (TKO) to become a world champion.[3][12][8]

Return to professional competition

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Malykhin returned to professional MMA on November 3, 2017, against Reza Torabi. He successfully used ground-and-pound to win by TKO.[14]

Malykin won his next three bouts via submission in the first round against Michał Wlazło at Golden Team Championship 3, Magomedbag Agaev at Fight Nights Global 91, and Jake Heun at Absolute Siberian Championship 1. Malykin next competed on April 25, 2019, as part of Fight Nights Global 93, against Alexei Kudin. Despite Kudin's experience, Malykhin constantly imposed his fighting style on his opponent. In the second round, Malykhin took the bout to the ground, after which he inflicted a series of punches, leading the referee to stop the bout.[14]

Malykhin's last bout on the Russian scene took place on October 30, 2019. As part of the GTC 07 tournament, Malykhin faced Argentinean Lucas Elsina. In the first round, Malykhin took Elsina down and finished him with punches for a TKO stoppage.[12]

After his undefeated run on the Russian regional scene, Malykin signed with ONE Championship.[15]

ONE Championship

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Malykhin made his promotional debut against Alexandre Machado on February 26, 2021, and aired on March 5, 2021, at ONE: First of Fury 2.[16] He won the fight via TKO (submission to punches) in the first round, having managed to pin Machado in a crucifix and proceed to connect elbows, forcing Machado to submit.[17]

Malykhin faced Amir Aliakbari on September 24, 2021, at ONE: Revolution.[18] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[19]

Interim ONE Heavyweight World Champion

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Malykhin was scheduled to face Kirill Grishenko for the interim ONE Heavyweight World Championship on January 28, 2022, at ONE: Only the Brave.[20] However, Malykhin withdrew because of testing positive for COVID-19 days before the event, and the bout was moved to ONE: Bad Blood on February 11, 2022.[21] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.[22] This win earned him a $100,000 Performance of the Night award.[23]

Malykhin was scheduled to Arjan Bhullar for the ONE Heavyweight World Championship unification bout on September 29, 2022, at ONE 161.[24] However, Bhullar withdraw due to suffering an injury in training that required surgery and the bout was cancelled.[25][26]

Double champion

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Malykhin faced Reinier de Ridder for the ONE Light Heavyweight World Championship on December 3, 2022, at ONE on Prime Video 5.[27] He won the fight via knockout in the first round and earned the title.[28] This win earned him his second $100,000 Performance of the Night award.[29]

The unification bout between Malykhin and Arjan Bhullar for the ONE Heavyweight World Championship was rescheduled for March 25, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 8.[30] However, the bout was removed from the event because of a shift in broadcaster commitments.[31] The bout was scheduled on July 15, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 12.[32] However, for unknown reasons, the bout was moved again to ONE Friday Fights 22 on June 22, 2023.[33] Malykhin won the fight via TKO in the third round to become the undisputed ONE Heavyweight Champion. This win also earned him a $50,000 Performance of the Night award.[34][35]

Triple champion

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Malykhin faced Reinier de Ridder in a rematch, this time for de Ridder's ONE Middleweight World Championship on March 1, 2024, at ONE 166.[36] Malykhin won the title by TKO in round three after de Ridder did not get up, becoming the first three-division champion in MMA history as well as the first to hold three championships simultaneously. The win also earned him a $50,000 Performance of the Night award.[37]

In the first title defense at heavyweight, Malykhin faced Oumar Kane on November 9, 2024, at ONE 169.[38] He lost the title via split decision.[39]

Personal life

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Malykhin and his wife, Anita, have a son, born in 2020.[40]

Championships and accomplishments

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Freestyle wrestling

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  • Russian Wrestling Federation
    • 2013 Russian Championship -   3rd place, 120 kg[5]
    • 2013 President Cup of Buryatia Republic -   1st place, 120 kg[5]

Mixed martial arts (amateur)

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  • World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA)
    • 2017 World Championship -   1st place, heavyweight (over 93 kg / 205 lbs)[3][11]

Mixed martial arts (professional)

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Submission grappling

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
15 matches 14 wins 1 loss
By knockout 10 0
By submission 4 0
By decision 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 14–1 Oumar Kane Decision (split) ONE 169 November 9, 2024 5 5:00 Bangkok, Thailand Lost the ONE Heavyweight Championship.
Win 14–0 Reinier de Ridder TKO (retirement) ONE 166 March 1, 2024 3 1:16 Lusail, Qatar Middleweight (205 lb) debut. Won the ONE Middleweight Championship (205 lb). Performance of the Night.
Win 13–0 Arjan Bhullar TKO (punches) ONE Friday Fights 22 June 23, 2023 3 2:42 Bangkok, Thailand Won and unified the ONE Heavyweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win 12–0 Reinier de Ridder KO (punches) ONE on Prime Video 5 December 3, 2022 1 4:35 Pasay, Philippines Light Heavyweight (225 lb) debut. Won the ONE Light Heavyweight Championship (225 lb). Performance of the Night.
Win 11–0 Kirill Grishenko KO (punch) ONE: Bad Blood February 11, 2022 2 3:42 Kallang, Singapore Won the interim ONE Heavyweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win 10–0 Amir Aliakbari KO (punches) ONE: Revolution September 24, 2021 1 2:57 Kallang, Singapore
Win 9–0 Alexandre Machado TKO (submission to punches) ONE: Fists of Fury 2 March 5, 2021 1 3:28 Kallang, Singapore
Win 8–0 Lucas Alsina TKO (punches) Golden Team Championship 7 October 30, 2019 1 3:34 Moscow, Russia
Win 7–0 Alexei Kudin TKO (punches) Fight Nights Global 93: Mytyshchi Cup April 25, 2019 2 3:32 Mytishchi, Russia
Win 6–0 Jake Heun Submission (keylock) Absolute Siberian Championship 1 March 4, 2019 1 1:45 Kemerovo, Russia
Win 5–0 Magomedbag Agaev Submission (keylock) Fight Nights Global 91 December 27, 2018 1 1:22 Moscow, Russia
Win 4–0 Michał Wlazło Submission (rear-naked choke) Golden Team Championship 3 March 10, 2018 1 3:35 Lyubertsy, Russia
Win 3–0 Reza Torabi TKO (punches) Golden Team Championship 1 November 3, 2017 1 2:26 Moscow, Russia
Win 2–0 Murad Kalimetov Submission (arm-triangle choke) Battle on the Volga Border 2016 December 17, 2016 1 3:10 Balakovo, Russia
Win 1–0 Ilya Gunenko TKO (punches) SK Pro: Grandprix MMA Quarterfinals September 17, 2016 1 2:21 Tomsk, Russia

[8]

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 4–0 Azamat Bahodurzoda TKO (punches) WMMAA - 5th World MMA Championships 2017 October 7, 2017 1 2:11 Astana, Kazakhstan Won the 2017 WMMAA Heavyweight World Championship.
Win 3–0 Athanasios Barkas Submission (rear-naked choke) October 6, 2017 2 1:03 2017 WMMAA World Championship heavyweight selection.
Win 2–0 Oswaldo Gil Submission (guillotine choke) 1 0:35
Win 1–0 Salimgerey Rasulov TKO Russian MMA Union - Championship Final May 11, 2017 2 4:50 Rostov-on-Don, Russia

[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Anatoly Malykhin | ONE Championship". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. February 21, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  2. ^ "Тренер нашего топового бойца задержан по подозрению в убийстве. Он воспитал Магу Исмаилова и сделал сборную чемпионами мира". sports.ru. May 25, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Otinov, Andrey (October 9, 2017). "Кузбасский спортсмен Анатолий Малыхин чемпион мира по ММА в тяжелом весе". Спортивная борьба (in Russian). Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Турнир памяти Виктора Малютина". Мой город (in Russian). November 19, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Malykhin, Anatoli (RUS)". whatsmat.uww.org. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "EUROPEAN GRAPPLING CHAMPIONSHIP" (PDF). Secretariat Grappling. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Чемпионат России 2016 по спортивной борьбе грэпплинг" (PDF). Secretariat Grappling (in Russian). Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d Sherdog.com. "Anatoliy Malykhin". Sherdog. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  9. ^ "Anatoly Malykhin". Fight Matrix. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Yarkova, Nadezhda (July 26, 2016). "Кемеровчанин победил на чемпионате Европы по грэпплингу в Риме (фото)". ngs42.ru - новости Кузбасса (in Russian). Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Patterson, Ross (February 12, 2022). "IMMAF | 2017 WMMAA World Gold Medalist Anatoly Malykhin Wins ONE Interim Heavyweight Belt". IMMAF. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Анатолий Малыхин". 24SMI (in Russian). Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  13. ^ "Малыхин: готов пройти допинг-тест в любой момент". РИА Новости Спорт (in Russian). April 25, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d "Анатолий Малыхин (Anatoliy Malykhin) – биография, статистика и лучшие бои российского бойца ММА". mma.express (in Russian). Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  15. ^ "Anatoly Malykhin signs with ONE Championship". Asian MMA. January 8, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  16. ^ "Amir Aliakbari faces Kang Ji Won at ONE: Fists of Fury Part II". Asian MMA. February 3, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  17. ^ Bear Frazer (March 5, 2021). "Malykhin Demolishes Machado To Remain Unbeaten". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  18. ^ "Christian Lee, Victoria Lee share card at ONE Championship: Revolution". MMA Junkie. August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  19. ^ "Anatoly Malykhin knocks Amir Aliakbari out cold! | Asian MMA". AsianMMA. September 24, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  20. ^ "Anatoly Malykhin vs. Kirill Grishenko set for ONE Championship interim heavyweight title". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. December 27, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  21. ^ "Anatoly Malykhin faces Kirill Grishenko at ONE: Bad Blood". Asian MMA. January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  22. ^ Jay Furness (February 12, 2022). "Malykhin Knocks Out Grishenko To Win Interim Heavyweight World Title". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Malykhin, Haggerty, Woo Earn ONE: BAD BLOOD Performance Bonuses". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. February 11, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  24. ^ "Arjan Bhullar vs. Anatoly Malykhin heavyweight title unification bout set for ONE Championship 161". MMA Junkie. August 10, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  25. ^ "ONE Championship announces heavyweight kickboxing Grand Prix". AsianMMA. August 29, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  26. ^ "Arjan Bhullar has arm surgery!". AsianMMA. August 30, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  27. ^ Ben Imperial (November 2, 2022). "Reinier de Ridder to defend his ONE light heavyweight world title against Anatoly Malykhin at ONE on Prime Video 5". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  28. ^ Steven Marrocco (December 3, 2022). "ONE on Prime Video 5 results: Anatoliy Malykhin starches Reinier de Ridder in first for second title". MMA Fighting. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  29. ^ a b Bear Frazer (December 3, 2022). "Malykhin, Marques, Ruotolo Earn Performance Bonuses at ONE on Prime Video 5". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  30. ^ Nicolas Atkin (January 6, 2023). "ONE Championship: Anatoly Malykhin challenging Arjan Bhullar for heavyweight title in Fight Night 8 main event, source says". South China Morning Post. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  31. ^ "ONE Fight Night 8 gets new main event, Bhullar vs. Malykhin rescheduled". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  32. ^ Martin, Damon (April 10, 2023). "Arjan Bhullar vs. Anatoly Malykhin in ONE heavyweight title unification bout rescheduled for July 14". MMA Fighting. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  33. ^ Frazer, Ben (May 19, 2023). "Arjan Bhullar vs. Anatoly Malykhin Heavyweight world title unification match rescheduled for ONE Friday Fights 22". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  34. ^ "Anatoly Malykhin crushes Arjan Bhullar at ONE Friday Fights 22". Asian MMA. June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  35. ^ "Anatoly Malykhin Overwhelms Arjan Bhullar to Unify Heavyweight Title at ONE Friday Fights 22". Cageside Press. June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  36. ^ "Anatoly Malykhin to challenge Reinier de Ridder for Middleweight MMA word title in rematch at ONE 166: Qatar". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  37. ^ a b c Dewar, Val (March 1, 2024). "ONE 166: Anatoly Malykhin Becomes First Triple-Champ in MMA History". Cageside Press. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  38. ^ Martin, Damon (June 19, 2024). "Anatoly Malykhin defends heavyweight title against Reug Reug in ONE: 169 main event in Atlanta on Nov. 8". MMA Fighting. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  39. ^ Anderson, Jay (November 9, 2024). "Reug Reug Dethrones Triple-Champ Anatoly Malykhin at ONE 169". Cageside Press. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  40. ^ ANATOLIY MALYKHIN (@anmalykhin). "Сынок с днём рождения ❤️ Мы с мамой тебя очень любим Львёнку 2 года 💪🏼❤️". Instagram. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  41. ^ Dan Meehan (December 27, 2022). "Anatoly Malykhin Wins ONE's 2022 MMA Athlete Of The Year Award". ONE Championship. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  42. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (March 1, 2024). "ONE 166 video: Anatoly Malykhin stops Reinier de Ridder to become three-division champion". MMA Fighting. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  43. ^ Beaupré, Drew (March 1, 2024). "ONE Championship News: Anatoly Malykhin Crowned First-Ever Triple-Champ at ONE 166". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  44. ^ Loper, Jared (August 1, 2016). "European Grappling Championships". Sensō Jiu Jitsu. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
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