Reug Reug, better known as Oumar Kane, will not be appearing at this week’s ONE: ‘Reloaded’. The Senegalese star has pulled out of his fight with Buchecha with an injury.
The Brazilian announced the news on Instagram:
View this post on Instagram
Alternative opponent
The heavyweight fight could still go ahead on May 20th. Buchecha, or Marcus Almeida to give him his full name, said he would definitely be fighting on this date and is expecting to face Reug Reug.
But Buchecha seems to suggest that if Reug Reug isn’t available ONE Championship will find him an alternative opponent. The Brazilian holds a black belt and is a 13 time world champion who has made an undefeated start to his MMA career.
He only made his pro MMA debut last year but already holds two first round submission wins. He finished Anderson Silva (no, not that one!) with a north south choke in his first fight and ended Ji Won Kang’s night with a rear naked choke in his sophomore appearance.
First loss
Reug Reug is coming off the first loss of his MMA career. Having won his first three fights fairly comfortably he appeared to quit on his stool after the second round of his bout with Kirill Grishenko.
This Friday’s ONE: ‘Reloaded’ card will be headlined by a lightweight kickboxing title match between Regian Eersel and Arian Sadiković. Buchecha and Reug Reug won’t be appearing on that but there are still 15 fights confirmed.
The as yet untitled May 20th card will feature the first round of the flyweight Muay Thai Grand Prix. Buchecha will definitely be back in action on that date by the sounds of it but it remains to be seen whether or not his opponent will be Reug Reug.
Influx of heavyweights
ONE Championship’s heavyweight division has been bolstered by the arrival of numerous new signings in the last year. There are currently two champions in the division with Anatoly Malykhin and Arjan Bhullar likely to meet in a unification bout in the coming months.
From its inception in 2015 until 2019 Brandon Vera held the ONE Championship heavyweight belt. But the UFC veteran’s reign is over and there is a new generation of talented heavyweights coming through.
After scoring two submission wins in quick succession Buchecha could be a contender for the title if he wins again next month.
