Reigning two-division ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykhin is living his best life.
The Russian is a dangerous force inside the ring, but outside the competition he is a gentle, family-oriented man.
Since his fight in November of last year, “Sladkiy” has been spending quality time with his family and reconnecting with nature.
Father to a 4-year-old son, Leo, Malykhin says whatever he does, his son always does exactly the same.
“My son takes after his father. No matter what you say to a kid, he’ll always watch what you do,” Malykhin said. “Words don’t mean much if your actions say something else. He sees what I’m doing and copies it.”
The powerhouse Russian’s grandfather taught him martial arts, and now his son is gradually following in his father’s footsteps.
And this fills the 37-year-old’s heart with pride.
“Of course, it feels good to see him getting into martial arts. He’s very strong for his age, very smart. I’m curious to see what he’ll achieve in life,” Malykhin said.
“Sladkiy” joined ONE with a pristine record and became the proud owner of not just one or two, but three belts. He currently holds the ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight MMA World Championships.
The man who now calls Thailand his home says that Leo truly loves training, but whatever his son decides, he won’t force martial arts on him.
“Right now, he loves his training, and if he enjoys something, I support him. He’s only 4, but I still listen to him. And if one day he tells me he doesn’t like it, I won’t force him. He’ll find his own way,” the double champ said.
He wants his son to grow into a strong man who finds his own path to success in life.
“I don’t plan on giving him anything for free – no big gifts, no cars, no apartments. I want him to earn everything on his own. That’s what I believe makes a man strong,” Malykhin explained.
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