Just like millions of martial arts fans around the globe, ONE Light Heavyweight and Interim Heavyweight World Champion Anatoly Malykhin can’t wait for ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III on Prime Video, which broadcasts live this Friday, May 5.
Stacked with high-stakes bouts, including a trio of World Title matches at the top of the bill, the sold-out event will go down live at 1stBank Center in Colorado and marks ONE Championship’s historic debut on American soil.
Never shy to share his opinion, the two-division king recently spoke about four of the night’s key battles.
Demetrious Johnson Vs. Adriano Moraes III
The main event features the biggest World Title bout in ONE history, as reigning titleholder and MMA GOAT Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson defends his gold against former king Adriano Moraes in a trilogy fight that has the MMA world salivating.
According to Malykhin, it will be the American’s fight IQ that carries him to victory in this monumental showdown.
He said:
“I’ll put my money on Johnson, of course. Moraes is a good guy, he is very talented. But what has always set ‘Mighty Mouse’ apart is his very high fighting IQ. He doesn’t repeat his mistakes, he learns lessons from his fights. I believe that in their third fight, just like a good chess player, he will outplay Moraes like he did in their rematch.”
Rodtang Jitmuangnon Vs. Edgar Tabares
For years, American fans have been clamoring to see Thai megastar Rodtang Jitmuangnon in person, and they’ll finally get their wish on May 5 when the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion defends his title against talented Mexican standout Edgar Tabares.
The Russian admits that he’ll be rooting for “The Iron Man” and hopes to see him put on another trademark, all-action performance.
Malykhin said:
“I always watch Rodtang’s fights and just want to wish him good luck and a great finish. He should charge forward like he always does and give the audience a beautiful show. He can miss a couple and show that his jaw can take any punches. I pray he wins. He is a tough fighter.”
Reinier De Ridder Vs. Tye Ruotolo
In what might be the event’s most intriguing contest, middleweight MMA king Reinier de Ridder will test his ground game against American BJJ phenom Tye Ruotolo in a submission grappling super-fight.
Malykhin – who defeated “The Dutch Knight” last December for the ONE Light Heavyweight World Title – sees this match as a toss-up.
The two-division ONE World Champion explained:
“De Ridder has proven himself in grappling bouts, and in MMA he finishes early with his excellent grappling technique. He’s always ready to finish the fight early. Here, I give each of them a 50-50 chance. Whoever imposes their style better will win. I’m interested in seeing this fight. Maybe I should try and have a go against the winner later. I’m not a bad grappler either.”
Kairat Akhmetov Vs. Reece McLaren
Top-five flyweight MMA contenders Kairat Akhmetov and Reece McLaren will square off in a pivotal rematch for perhaps the next crack at the winner of the World Title main event.
Malykhin is siding with “The Kazakh” to earn his second victory over McLaren, confident that the former titleholder’s all-around skill set and intense training will earn him the win.
He said:
“Kairat is a former ONE World Champion, and I think he should have another chance to fight for the belt. He’s doing everything for it. Kairat has been preparing for the fight here in Thailand. He has strength and endurance, he punches hard, and he has good wrestling. He is very motivated for this fight. I think Kairat wins this one, for sure, and he’s a contender for the belt after the win.”
