Anatoly Malykhin, the current two-weight ONE MMA World Champion, is returning to the heavyweight class as an even greater challenge.
Last November, “Sladkiy” competed in ONE 169, where he lost to “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane by a slim margin for the heavyweight MMA gold at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Since then, Malykhin has stayed out of the spotlight while redefining and reconstructing himself to once again dominate the heavyweight class.
As he waits for a call from the matchmakers for ONE Championship, he discloses that he has put nearly 40 pounds on his already massive body in preparation for a comeback to the ring.
“I’ve been focusing more on strength and conditioning. I’ve been doing a lot of strength training and working with weights. I bulked up again and hit the numbers I had back when I was fighting at heavyweight,” he said.
“I’ve bulked up. I used to be 100 kilos. Now I’m 117. I’ve been lifting a lot. As for my diet, I switched to keto — I cut out carbs completely. And so far, I feel great.
“I’ve never turned down a fight. If I’m healthy and not injured, I’m in. I’ve always been hungry to fight. There’s no ‘perfect’ date for me. I’m ready whenever ONE needs me.”
Since November of last year, Anatoly Malykhin has been embracing his closest loved ones while moving in silence.
Along with his family, the former three-weight ONE MMA champion has been touring Thailand. During his free time, he enjoys traveling to the nation’s famous sites.
“Everything’s been going well in 2025 — just like it did in 2024 and 2023. Life is steady. I’m training, focusing on my family. We love each other deeply as a family,” he said.
“I really like northern Thailand — Chiang Mai. The nature there, the rivers, the wild jungles, the nature that is so raw, especially when you head up into the mountains. I love nature, and lately, Chiang Mai has really stood out to me.”
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