Former two-division ONE MMA World Champion Aung La N San has his sights set on the baddest man on the planet.
The 38-year-old “Burmese Python” knows that his impressive career is coming to an end, but he is currently competing against mixed martial arts kingpin Anatoly “Sladky” Malihin, a three-division champion. I'm not leaving here until I put a rift in it.
Two weeks ago, Aung La N San becomes the first three-division MMA world champion in history as the Russian superstar KOs Reinier de Ridder at ONE 166: Qatar to win the ONE Middleweight MMA World Title I watched as he accomplished an unprecedented feat.
Looking back, the Myanmar superstar was impressed with Malihin's performance (defeating the Dutch grappling specialist to win his second world title), but not surprised by the result.
Aung La told onefc.com:
“It was a great fight. It was as expected. We all know that some people don't have a style matchup with certain fighters, and it doesn't really matter what they do a year from now. Style Some people are not compatible with each other.
“Anatoly was able to defend all his takedowns and land game planes that were box-ups. He almost defeated Reinier in the third round.”
In fact, “Sladky” utilized his elite wrestling and massive power to dominate the majority of the match leading up to a stoppage in the third round.
Aung La N San, a former ONE Light Heavyweight and Middleweight MMA World Champion himself, has great respect for Malihin's unique accomplishments.
“Anatoly is now a three-division champion. Congratulations to him. This has never happened before in ONE Championship history and we congratulate him and his team.”
The Burmese Python, the longest-reigning middleweight titleholder in the history of the Middleweight Mixed Martial Arts Association, also believes Malihin's real test will be to win the golden belt against a group of hungry candidates. I believe it will come when you bet on it.
He provided:
“Very impressive, but defending will certainly be more difficult. It will be much harder to defend all three divisions.”
Aung La N San: “My work as a professional fighter is not over''
Currently on a three-fight winning streak, with each victory coming by stoppage – Aung La N San knows he's knocking on the door of crack in newly minted ONE Middleweight MMA World Champion Anatoly Malihin.
While some might think retirement is next for the former two-division champion, he says he has unfinished business before calling it a career.
“That's the only reason I keep fighting – to be champion again. That's the only reason I'm still fighting. I could retire now, but that's not fun. ONE Championship middle class. It won’t be fun for the class division.”
For fans, the match between Aung La N San and Anatoly Malikin is sure to be a lot of fun.
They are two of the most ruthless finishers in MMA, with 'The Burmese Python' boasting an impressive 93 percent finish rate in his 30 career wins, and Malihin stopping all 14 of his previous opponents.
Given these backgrounds, Aung La N San knows that a challenge for the three-weight title is sure to generate fireworks.
“If we end up fighting, there's no way for any of us to back down, and we'll put on a great show.
“Think about it. Every fight I fight, I fight for the finish. Every fight he fights, I fight for the finish. There were no yellow cards in that fight. It's a mistake for the fans. It's going to be a big fuss.”
As for Aung La N San, he shows no signs of slowing down.
The veteran said his fire was still burning and he was willing to mow down as many candidates as necessary to get back the £26 he once won.
“I don't care how long it takes, I'm still going after the title. And it's one of those things where I don't need to be in this sport anymore, but I still have that hungry spirit. So I would like to participate.
“I still want to be champion again and put on a great show for the fans. My job as a professional fighter is not done yet.”
