Anatoly Sergeevich Malykhin (Russian: Анатолий Сергеевич Малыхин; born January 11, 1988) is a Russian mixed martial artist and wrestler. Malykhin is signed to ONE Championship where he is the current Heavyweight World Champion, Light Heavyweight World Champion, and Middleweight World Champion. He is the first fighter in history to win major MMA championships in three weight classes and the first to hold them simultaneously. A professional competitor since 2016, Malykhin has also competed for Fight Nights Global. As of March 17, 2024, he is ranked as the #14 light heavyweight in the world by Fight Matrix.
Malykhin is a Master of Sport in freestyle wrestling, and won a bronze medal at the 2013 Russian championship. He also won gold in submission grappling at the 2016 UWW European championships and is a 2017 WMMAA world champion in amateur mixed martial arts (MMA).
Background
Malykhin was born on January 11, 1988, in Kemerovo, Kemerovo Oblast, Soviet Union (now Russian Federation). He began wrestling in the fifth grade and won several youth championships. In 2013, he won gold at the President Cup of Buryatia Republic in freestyle wrestling and placed third at the Russian national championship as a heavyweight. Malykhin was later disqualified for two years because he did not appear for doping tests, which he claims was due to a misunderstanding. In 2016, Malykhin competed in submission grappling, winning at the championships for the Kemerovo region and the Siberian Federal District to qualify for the All-Russian championships. Malykhin was the runner-up at the All-Russian championships, qualifying for the UWW European championships. At the European grappling championships in July, Malykhin won gold in the 100+ kg division.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
According to Malykhin, there were no prospects for wrestlers in his native Kemerovo, despite the fact that the city had many good coaches and athletes. Malykhin was repeatedly invited to Moscow, where he met coach Vladimir Osiy, who became his mentor.
Malykhin made his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut in September 2016, defeating Ilya Gunenko in the first round. He would compete again 3 months later against Murad Kalimetov at Battle on the Volga Border 2016, winning the bout by submission.
Amateur world championships
In May 2017, Malykhin competed at the Russian championship in amateur MMA, defeating Dagestani Salimgerey Rasulov. In October 2017, Malykhin competed at the WMMAA amateur world championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. He fought in the heavyweight (over 93 kg/205 lb) division, defeating Spanish fighter Oswaldo Gil and Greek fighter Athanasios Barkas to qualify for the final, where he defeated Uzbek fighter Azamat Bahodurzoda by TKO to become a world champion.
Return to professional competition
Malykhin returned to professional MMA on November 3, 2017, against Reza Torabi. He successfully used ground-and-pound to win by TKO.
Malykin won his next three bouts via submission in the first round against Michał Wlazło at Golden Team Championship 3, Magomedbag Agaev at Fight Nights Global 91, and Jake Heun at Absolute Siberian Championship 1. Malykin next competed on April 25, 2019, as part of Fight Nights Global 93, against Alexei Kudin. Despite Kudin's experience, Malykhin constantly imposed his fighting style on his opponent. In the second round, Malykhin took the bout to the ground, after which he inflicted a series of punches, leading the referee to stop the bout.
Malykhin's last bout on the Russian scene took place on October 30, 2019. As part of the GTC 07 tournament, Malykhin faced Argentinean Lucas Elsina. In the first round, Malykhin took Elsina down and finished him with punches for a TKO stoppage.
After his undefeated run on the Russian regional scene, Malykin signed with ONE Championship.
ONE Championship
Malykhin made his promotional debut against Alexandre Machado on February 26, 2021, and aired on March 5, 2021, at ONE: First of Fury 2. He won the fight via technical knockout (submission to punches) in the first round, having managed to pin Machado in a crucifix and proceed to connect elbows, forcing Machado to submit.
Malykhin faced Amir Aliakbari on September 24, 2021, at ONE: Revolution. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.
Interim ONE Heavyweight World Champion
Malykhin was scheduled to face Kirill Grishenko for the interim ONE Heavyweight World Championship on January 28, 2022, at ONE: Only the Brave. However, Malykhin withdrew due to tested positive for COVID-19 days before the event and the bout was moved to ONE: Bad Blood on February 11, 2022. He won the fight via knockout in the second round. This win earned him a $100,000 Performance of the Night award.
Malykhin was scheduled to Arjan Bhullar for the ONE Heavyweight World Championship unification bout on September 29, 2022, at ONE 161. However, Bhullar withdraw due to suffering an injury in training that required surgery and the bout was cancelled.
Double champion
Malykhin faced Reinier de Ridder for the ONE Light Heavyweight World Championship on December 3, 2022, at ONE on Prime Video 5. He won the fight via knockout in the first round and earned the title. This win earned him his second $100,000 Performance of the Night award.
The unification bout between Malykhin and Arjan Bhullar for the ONE Heavyweight World Championship was rescheduled for March 25, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 8. However, the bout was removed from the event due to a shift in broadcaster commitments. The bout was scheduled on July 15, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 12. However, for unknown reasons, the bout was moved again to ONE Friday Fights 22 on June 22. Malykhin won the fight via TKO in the third round to become the undisputed ONE Heavyweight Champion. This win also earned him a $50,000 Performance of the Night award.
Triple champion
Malykhin faced Reinier de Ridder in a rematch, this time for de Ridder's ONE Middleweight World Championship on March 1, 2024, at ONE 166. Malykhin won the title by technical knockout in round three after de Ridder did not get up, becoming the first three-division champion in MMA history as well as the first to hold three championships simultaneously. The win also earned him a $50,000 Performance of the Night award.
Personal life
Malykhin and his wife Anita have a son named Lev, born in 2020.
Championships and accomplishments
Freestyle wrestling
Russian Wrestling Federation
2013 Russian Championship -3rd place, 120 kg
2013 President Cup of Buryatia Republic -1st place, 120 kg
Mixed martial arts (amateur)
World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA)
2017 World Championship -1st place, heavyweight (over 93 kg / 205 lbs)
Mixed martial arts (professional)
ONE Championship
ONE Heavyweight World Championship (One time; current)
ONE Light Heavyweight World Championship (One time; current)
ONE Middleweight World Championship (One time, current)
Interim ONE Heavyweight World Championship (One time)
Capricorn
