SandJack TV
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • WNBA
  • Women’s Sports
  • Tennis
  • Boxing
  • Baseball
  • UFC
  • MMA
  • Netball
  • Racing
  • MORE
    • Athletics
    • Golf
    • Cycling
    • Formula 1
    • ESports
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • WNBA
  • Women’s Sports
  • Tennis
  • Boxing
  • Baseball
  • UFC
  • MMA
  • Netball
  • Racing
  • MORE
    • Athletics
    • Golf
    • Cycling
    • Formula 1
    • ESports
No Result
View All Result
SandJack TV
No Result
View All Result
Home MMA

Anatoly Malykhin still wants Francis Ngannou fight, ‘I didn’t see anything special’ in his return to MMA

November 8, 2024
in MMA
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
0
Anatoly Malykhin still wants Francis Ngannou fight, ‘I didn’t see anything special’ in his return to MMA
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


Anatoly Malykhin might have a fight booked against Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane on Friday at ONE 169 but he hasn’t forgotten about pursuing an eventual showdown with ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou.

It’s a fight he’s been chasing ever since Ngannou signed with the PFL, which opened up the possibility for a cross-promotion matchup between arguably the two best heavyweights outside of the UFC. Actually, Ngannou could make a compelling case that he’s still the real lineal heavyweight champion considering he left the UFC in free agency while still holding the title.

Following a two-fight stint in boxing, Ngannou finally returned to MMA in October when he dispatched Renan Ferreira inside the first round to extend his overall win streak to seven in a row. Malykhin was keeping a close eye on Ngannou’s first fight back in MMA since 2022 but truth be told, he wasn’t exactly blown away by what he witnessed that night.

“Of course I watched the fight and actually I didn’t see anything special,” Malykhin told MMA Fighting about Ngannou’s win. “Nothing too impressive in that fight. He did not surprise me with anything.

“So I do think that 2025 could be the year for us to face each other. I’m ready. I’m ready to face him. He made a statement that he was the [best] fighter on the planet. I don’t think so. He cannot and he shouldn’t be saying that until he faces me.”

After initially calling out Ngannou earlier this year, ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong didn’t scoff at the idea of working with the PFL to make Malykhin’s dreams come true, although he didn’t expect a very compelling fight if it happens.

“Francis has one-punch KO power, great striking, but he doesn’t have a ground game,” Sityodtong told MMA Fighting in June. “I mean, genuinely [he has] blue belt level jiu-jitsu and no wrestling. Anatoly would take him down in a heartbeat. I don’t think it would be competitive, just to be very blunt.”

Malykhin won’t argue with Sityodtong’s assessment but that doesn’t make the fight any less intriguing thanks to Ngannou’s established name and resume.

“100 percent, I agree with Chatri,” Malykhin said. “I watched his fight and he doesn’t have decent wrestling. He doesn’t have good cardio. He cannot feel the distance properly. He has a very strong punch. That is very true. But my overall skill set is much better than his.”

Before he can seriously pursue the Ngannou fight, Malykhin first has to get through the hulking Senegalese wrestler standing in his way on Friday.

The 32-year-old heavyweight best known by his nickname “Reug Reug” comes into the title bout off three straight wins including a unanimous decision over multi-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu grappling champion Marcus Buchecha.

While this is a heavyweight championship fight, Malykhin doesn’t see his upcoming opponent as a massive threat, especially when it comes to his overall MMA arsenal.

“My opinion is [he’s still very raw] and I also think he’s a fitness model type of fighter,” Malykhin said. “All he does, he trains in the gym, he trains for girls, he looks good, but it doesn’t give him the teeniest, tiniest chance to defeat elite sportsmen, elite fighters like me. Name me one name of a good fighter, a decent fighter that he beat? No.

“The only thing that he did was fall from some invisible punch, as far as I’m concerned. That’s all I can see. Somewhere I just punched the air and ‘Reug Reug’ just fell down.”

Obviously, Malykhin is more than confident that he’s going to retain his title in impressive fashion and he hopes to use “Reug Reug” as a way to send a message to Ngannou.

“I’m going to finish the best wrestler who is coming from Africa,” Malykhin said. “In 2025, I’m ready to finish the best puncher from Africa.”



Source link

Tags: AnatolyDidntfightFrancisMalykhinMMANgannouReturnspecial
Previous Post

How to evolve Pawmi and Pawmo into Pawmot in Pokémon Go

Next Post

Tennis fashion in Saudi Arabia: Outfits from the WTA Finals

Related Posts

BKFC Clearwater Weigh-Ins Ahead Of Exciting May 1 Show
MMA

BKFC Clearwater Weigh-Ins Ahead Of Exciting May 1 Show

May 1, 2025
Ryan Garcia takes an interest in potential Jake Paul fight
MMA

Ryan Garcia takes an interest in potential Jake Paul fight

May 1, 2025
Gillian Robertson expects Marina Rodriguez to “want out of there” at UFC Des Moines: “She’ll give me the finish”
MMA

Gillian Robertson expects Marina Rodriguez to “want out of there” at UFC Des Moines: “She’ll give me the finish”

April 30, 2025
UFC Middleweight Sedriques Dumas arrested for umpteenth time, faces charges for home invasion, possession, and robbery
MMA

UFC Middleweight Sedriques Dumas arrested for umpteenth time, faces charges for home invasion, possession, and robbery

April 29, 2025
Carlos Prates Admits How Much UFC Kansas City Defeat Hurt Him
MMA

Carlos Prates Admits How Much UFC Kansas City Defeat Hurt Him

April 29, 2025
12-fight UFC vet Vinc Pichel announces MMA retirement
MMA

12-fight UFC vet Vinc Pichel announces MMA retirement

April 28, 2025
Next Post
Tennis fashion in Saudi Arabia: Outfits from the WTA Finals

Tennis fashion in Saudi Arabia: Outfits from the WTA Finals

The Weird Keep Getting Weirder – Bike Snob NYC

The Weird Keep Getting Weirder – Bike Snob NYC

No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
WNBA team power rankings: early predictions for 2025 season

WNBA team power rankings: early predictions for 2025 season

October 24, 2024
All 26 Call of Duty Servers Locations and Why It’s Important

All 26 Call of Duty Servers Locations and Why It’s Important

August 13, 2024
Fact Check: Did Caitlin Clark Sue Angel Reese for  Million?

Fact Check: Did Caitlin Clark Sue Angel Reese for $10 Million?

March 26, 2025
All Fortnite Reload Weapons – Best and Worst Fresh Guns

All Fortnite Reload Weapons – Best and Worst Fresh Guns

November 13, 2024
Euro 2024: Slovakia v Romania

Euro 2024: Slovakia v Romania

0
Manchester United target Khvicha Kvaratskhelia close to joining Paris Saint-Germain – Man United News And Transfer News

Manchester United target Khvicha Kvaratskhelia close to joining Paris Saint-Germain – Man United News And Transfer News

0
The Phillies Lock up Another Part of Their League-Best Rotation

The Phillies Lock up Another Part of Their League-Best Rotation

0
DeMar DeRozan’s Future at Bulls in Doubt: Report

DeMar DeRozan’s Future at Bulls in Doubt: Report

0
Paige Bueckers Already Loving Dallas Before WNBA Preseason Debut With Wings

Paige Bueckers Already Loving Dallas Before WNBA Preseason Debut With Wings

May 2, 2025
BKFC Clearwater Weigh-Ins Ahead Of Exciting May 1 Show

BKFC Clearwater Weigh-Ins Ahead Of Exciting May 1 Show

May 1, 2025
Four fashion-forward WNBA players to look out for this year – The Bradley Scout

Four fashion-forward WNBA players to look out for this year – The Bradley Scout

May 1, 2025
rewrite this title Angels To Place Mike Trout On 10-Day Injured List With Bone Bruise

rewrite this title Angels To Place Mike Trout On 10-Day Injured List With Bone Bruise

May 1, 2025
  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
SAND JACK TV

Copyright © 2024 Sand Jack TV.
Sand Jack TV is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • WNBA
  • Women’s Sports
  • Tennis
  • Boxing
  • Baseball
  • UFC
  • MMA
  • Netball
  • Racing
  • MORE
    • Athletics
    • Golf
    • Cycling
    • Formula 1
    • ESports

Copyright © 2024 Sand Jack TV.
Sand Jack TV is not responsible for the content of external sites.