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5 Reasons to Watch ONE 169, Featuring 3 World Championship Matches on November 8

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5 Reasons to Watch ONE 169, Featuring 3 World Championship Matches on November 8

ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug One of the standout cards of 2024 with its stacked lineup promising explosive action from top to bottom.

The biggest names in MMA, Muay Thai and kickboxing will compete in US prime time on Prime Video on Friday, November 8, and there will be plenty of action throughout the evening.

From triple World Title bouts to marquee matchups between top contenders and the next step for a young superstar, here are five reasons why combat sports fans should tune in as things get going at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

#1 Trios Champion Anatoly Malykhin Returns to Defend the Heavyweight Belt

Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin He looked unstoppable en route to winning the ONE Middleweight, Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight MMA World Titles.

The Russian megastar is currently 14-0 in his mixed martial arts career, has a 100 percent finish rate, and has never been in trouble.

After taking middleweight gold last time out, Malykhin will move up two divisions to defend his heavyweight throne but a huge man is waiting for him.

Challenging the World Championship “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane He is a towering figure and his physicality poses a problem for any opponent, but it will be a much more interesting test for the reigning king as he tries to recover.

Like Malykhin, the Senegalese sensation has strong grappling and concussion power, and his size adds an extra dimension to the more flashy boxing of “Sladkiy.”

This is a contest that could end in an instant from either side, giving fans the opportunity to finish the show.

#2 A Pair of Stunning World Title Fights

The exciting main event will be enough to feed any crowd, but there are two other big World Championship bouts on the card; both in striking arts.

One guy you can guarantee will drive fans crazy: Rodtang “Iron Man” JitmuangnonWill defend ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title against #3 ranked challenger Jacob Smith.

Rodtang beat the Englishman in an entertaining decision in 2022, but Smith said he evolution will lead to salvation Against Thailand icon.

In the other side main event, the Filipino-American phenomenon Jackie Buntan and the greatest of all time Anissa “C18” Meksen She will compete in the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship.

Buntan has a stellar 6-1 ONE Championship record and is looking to score a career-defining victory against a true legend of the sport.

Even though Meksen is nine years older, he is not done yet and determined to crown his iconic career with a ONE Championship gold medal.

#3 World Title Flyweight MMA Rematch

MMA GOAT Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson‘s retirement means the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title is vacant, and at ONE 169 two men hope to stake their claim for the next shot.

As the former king of the division and current #1 contender, Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes He is desperate to take back the throne but will need to defeat his old enemy and 3rd ranked rival. Danny “King” Kingad.

The Brazilian superstar was at his peak when he dispatched Kingad back in 2017, but the Filipino has improved tremendously since that fight seven years ago. Above all else, “The King” has worked to improve his grappling ability and become a more well-rounded mixed martial artist, and it showed with some impressive performances.

Still, “Mikinho” is an elite BJJ black belt with a strong overall MMA game and has cemented his lofty status with three incredible World Title fights against “Mighty Mouse.”

Given their place in the division rankings, the winner of this fight will make a strong case for gold in their next round.

#4 The Next Heavyweight MMA World Title Champion May Emergence

With the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title at stake in the main event, Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida or Emir Aliekbari may emerge as a top contender early in the night.

BJJ legend “Buchecha” looks to bounce back from his first career MMA defeat against “Reug Reug” after dropping the decision against the Senegalese beast in a thrilling clash last year.

Almeida had finished four experienced opponents before this loss and is ready to regain his momentum and work towards the top.

Aliakbari is currently in the midst of a resurgence, racking up four consecutive victories after a difficult start to life in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

The Iranian fan favorite has showcased his strength and grappling skills to right the ship, and his elite-level wrestling may be the kryptonite to “Buchecha’s” submission skills.

On the other hand, the Brazilian player is an outstanding athlete who is quickly learning his new profession and will do his best to stop Aliakbari’s rise.

#5 Kade Ruotolo Makes His Second MMA Fight

As the reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion, Kade Ruotolo Already dominant in one sport and eager to climb the ranks of another.

After winning his first match in professional MMA Blake Cooper In June, the 21-year-old wrestled again and won the prestigious CJI tournament outside ONE.

Now refocusing on the all-round sport, Ruotolo will face the Pakistani fighter Ahmed “Wolverine” Müjtaba This Friday is on a slight slope.

Mujtaba’s 10-4 MMA list includes three knockouts and five submissions, showing that he is an all-around game befitting his years of experience.

“Wolverine” knows that Ruotolo’s popularity will draw a lot of attention to this conflict and his own reputation can skyrocket with a win.

Also, given the high-octane styles of both athletes, a heated encounter between MMA’s new star and the seasoned veteran is expected.

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