Anatoliy Malykhin claimed his second ONE Championship title with a first round win over Reinier de Ridder in ONE’s Main Event on Prime Video 5.
Malykhin injured de Ridder early with heavy hands and didn’t stop until the No. 12 middleweight fighter on MMA Fightings Global Rankings was on his back and was KO’d by a barrage of hammerfists. The official stop time was 4:35 of the first round at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.
“I’m the best of the best, world champion,” said Malykhin, who came into the fight as the interim heavyweight champion and clinched de Ridder’s light heavyweight title (185 pounds). “I knew since yesterday that I was going to win, so I wanted to say thank you to all the people who supported me. I knew the belt would be on my coach’s chest.”
The end was set in motion by a right hand which de Ridder took against the fence where he backed down after several hard body shots and hooks. His initial attack on the clinch and a throw setup proved his downfall as he got within reach of Malykhin’s right hand. His natural tendency to crouch to the left only provided the challenger with more targets, which he took full advantage of.
De Ridder suffers the first loss of his pro career after 17 pro games, while Malykhin, also awarded two $50,000 awards, roils the rankings with his 12th straight win in an unbeaten pro record.
Ruotolo defends the light grappling belt
ONE Championship Lightweight Submission Grappling Champion Kade Ruotolo’s physical jiu-jitsu had Matheus Gabriel fall to the canvas multiple times. Gabriel’s guard play was good enough to keep him in the match and Ruotolo rewarded him with several ankle lock attempts that he felt created pops in the ankle. When no tap came, they went the distance, and Ruotolo earned the unanimous decision.
Soldic’s ONE debut spoiled by groin kick
Roberto Soldic’s ONE Championship debut was cut short by an accidental knee in the groin, which left him unable to continue against Murad Ramazanov.
Buntan Knockdown Seals Deal
Jackie Buntan avenged an amateur loss to Amber Kitchen with a unanimous decision likely sealed by a third-round knockdown. Buntan’s heavy shots overcame Kitchen’s long kicks and pressure attacks, and as she got inside, she made her presence known with quick hooks inside.
Tyanes drags Park and still loses a card
ONE Championship judges fight as a whole so it was confusing when one judge gave Dae Sung Park the nod over Lowen Tyanes. Aside from a cut opened by an accidental collision, Park did little but was choked and passed over three laps. Although he managed to get to the bottom of first and third stands, his leg kicks were his best offensive against a constant threat of choking from Tyanes’ back control. Two of the three judges gave Tyanes the win, so the interesting nature of the scoring didn’t change the outcome.
Anatoliy Malykhin defeated. Reinier de Ridder via KO (hammer fists) – Round 1, 4:35
Defeated Kade Ruotolo. Matheus Gabriel by unanimous decision
Roberto Soldic vs. Murad Ramazanov declared no-contest (knee on Soldic’s groin)
Jackie Buntan defeated. Amber Kitchen by unanimous decision
Lion Tyanes defeated. Dae Sung Park by separate decision
Edson Marches defeated. Eduard Folayang via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:53
Tye Ruotolo def. Marat Gafurov via submission (wrist lock) – Round 1, 5:09
defeated Oumar Kane. Jasur Mirzamukhamedov by unanimous decision
Denice Zamboanga defeated. Lin Heqin by separate decision