Two undefeated champions faced off in the main event of ONE on Prime Video 5 but there would be only one winner. Anatoly Malykhin’s size and power proved too much for Reinier de Ridder and he is now the promotion’s undisputed light heavyweight champion.
Malykhin is also the interim heavyweight champion while de Ridder still holds the middleweight strap. Between them these two men own a lot of metal but the Russian dominated this one from start to finish at the MOA Arena in Manila.
De Ridder immediately seized the centre of the cage, clinched up and looked to get the fight down. But Malykhin was able to separate and promptly found his mark with a hard right hand.
NEW DOUBLE-CHAMP 👑👑 ONE Interim Heavyweight World Champion Anatoly Malykhin 🇷🇺 knocks out Reinier de Ridder to claim the light heavyweight throne!#WeAreONE #ONEChampionship #ONEonPrimeVideo5 pic.twitter.com/xp8YrVKd7R
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022
Total dominance
De Ridder clearly wanted to get the fight down but Malykhin comes from a boxing background and repeatedly shrugged off his attempts to get the action down with trips, takedowns and throws. The Russian was landing jabs and right hands to the body and head at will to completely dominate the standup exchanges.
De Ridder was starting to look increasingly ragged as the round progressed with Malykhin landing right hands to the body and head of the Dutchman. It was one way traffic and as the Russian gained in confidence he started to score with left hooks
A right hand dropped de Ridder and some follow up punches saw the referee step in with 23 seconds remaining in the round. With the win Malykhin improves to 12-0 while his opponent drops to 16-1.
Best of the rest
The eagerly anticipated welterweight bout between Roberto Soldić and Murad Ramazanov ended in a no contest. The Russian landed an accidental knee to the groin of the promotional newcomer midway through the opening round.
Soldic was unable to continue which made for an anticlimactic debut for the former KSW star. The winner had been expected to challenge for the welterweight title and an immediate rematch must be in the works.
Earlier in the morning Edson Marquez (11-2) potentially ended the career of Eduard Folayang (22-13). The former lightweight champion is on a five fight losing streak dating all the way back to 2019 after being knocked out in the second round.
ONE on Prime Video 5, Manila, December 3rd
Anatoly Malykhin def. Reinier de Ridder (c) via KO (Punches) at 4:37 of R1
Submission Grappling Kade Ruotolo (c) def. Matheus Gabriel via Decision (Unanimous)
Roberto Soldić vs. Murad Ramazanov ends in No Contest (Low blow) at 3:01 of R1
Muay Thai: Jackie Buntan def. Amber Kitchen via Decision (Unanimous)
Lowen Tynanes def. Dae Sung Park via Decision (Split)
Edson Marques def. Eduard Folayang via TKO (Punch) at 2:53 of R2
Submission Grappling: Tye Ruotolo def. Marat Gafurov via Submission (Triangle armbar) at 5:09 of R1
Oumar Kane def. Jasur Mirzamukhamedov via Decision (Unanimous)
Denice Zamboanga def. Lin Heqin via Decision (split)
