Malekhin becomes the first MMA champion in three different weights

Russian Anatoly Malykhin snatched the ONE Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) middleweight champion belt from Dutchman Reinier De Ridder by defeating him in the fight that brought them together, today, Friday, in Qatar.

He was able to defeat the Dutch champion by technical knockout in the third round of the fight, which took place in the Lusail gym, within the “ONE 166” tournament.

Anatoly Malykhin, 36 years old, achieved his fourteenth consecutive victory during his professional career so far, without any defeat, and became the first fighter to win the title of champion of the “ONE” Mixed Martial Arts “MMA” Federation in three different weights, medium, light and heavy. 

While Rainier De Ridder (33 years old) suffered his second defeat during his professional career, after 16 consecutive victories.