Anatoly "Sladkiy" Malykhin is hoping that nothing goes in the way of him eventually facing Arjan "Singh" Bhullar.
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Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin is hoping that nothing goes in the way of him eventually facing Arjan “Singh” Bhullar. Their ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title unification fight has been scheduled several times but has never taken place. The contracts for ONE Friday Fights 22 on June 23 are now signed and sealed, and interim titleholder “Sladkiy” is ready to go.
This fight has already been postponed due to Bhullar’s ailments and contract issues, and Malykhin only hopes that his opponent will make it to the ring for their Asia primetime duel at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
According to Malykhin: “I felt certainty that I will become the absolute ONE Heavyweight World Champion, which I believe I am already. However, there was a small technicality left – this fight with Bhullar.
“I was glad to see his name on the contract when I got sent it. He’s already signed contracts three or four times and never showed up to a fight. Therefore, we will see what happens this time. The important thing is that he makes an effort to get himself right to the ring.”
READ MORE: Arjan Bhullar plans to “run through”Anatoly Malykhin At ONE Friday Fights 22
Malykhin enjoys provoking Bhullar, whom he has referred to as a “chicken” on several times, but he acknowledges that it isn’t about the guy. Above all, he just wishes to compete.
In fact, “Sladkiy” would take just as much joy in defeating any other top competitor who wants to face him for the World Championship. With that in mind, he just feels the Canadian-Indian has been way too slow in defending the gold.
Malykhin elaborated: “I believe that a man who doesn’t fight and who has been holding up the whole division for over two years is not a champion. He should not be fighting in any league at all.
“Overall, it doesn’t matter to me what name is on the contract – be it Bhullar or “Buchecha.” I am happy to fight against any opponent, happy to be given another chance to show the audience my skills, [but] I hope this time the fight will happen.”
With the wind in his sails and his devastating form, ONE’s 2022 MMA Fighter of the Year believes “Singh” will be unable to keep up when they meet to unify the championships.
“Sladkiy” said: “He has no chance at all. I’ll just knock him out. He’ll last until the second round at the most. There is no chance for him to last for five rounds.”
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