Oumar Kane vs Anatoly Malykhin 2 Confirmed: ONE Heavyweight Title Rematch Set for May 15

Reigning ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion "Reug Reug" Oumar Kanewill defend his title against two-division champion Anatoly Malykhin in a highly anticipated rematch headlining The Inner Circle on May 15 at Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium.

The bout was originally scheduled for ONE 173 in November 2025, but Kane was forced to withdraw after suffering an accident in the UAE. Since then, both fighters have exchanged verbal jabs on social media, steadily building momentum toward their second meeting.

Their first clash at ONE 169 in 2024 produced one of the biggest upsets in the promotion's history. Malykhin entered the fight as the first-ever three-division MMA World Champion, boasting an undefeated record and the reputation of an unstoppable force.

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that night, Kane relied on his physical strength and wrestling base to edge the Russian in a closely contested bout, earning a split-decision victory. The win made Kane Senegal's first-ever ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion and ended Malykhin's unbeaten run while stripping him of the heavyweight title.

The 34-year-old Kane stands six feet tall and holds a 7-1 record in ONE Championship, currently riding a five-fight winning streak that includes his landmark victory over Malykhin.

Malykhin, 38, remains the reigning ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight MMA World Champion. With a 14-1 career record - his only loss coming to Kane - the Russian now returns with redemption firmly in focus.

With Kane defending his crown and Malykhin chasing redemption, the rematch carries major stakes in the battle for heavyweight supremacy.