Five Reasons to Watch ONE Fight Night 5: De Ridder vs. Malykhin
ONE returns to our screens this weekend for their final fight weekend of the year – and have pulled out all the stops to make it one of the very best. Kicking things off in Manila will be ONE Fight Night 5: De Ridder vs. Malykhin and here are five reasons why you need to be watching.
Gold, gold, gold
From top to bottom this is a loaded card and features an incredible three titles fights to close out the event. Even more impressive is that each of these title fights is in a different discipline with the light heavyweight, lightweight submission grappling, and atomweight Muay Thai world titles all on the line, making for an exciting and varied night in the Philippines.
Two-division champ defends his crown
The Netherlands’ Reinier de Ridder will put one of his two pieces of hardware on the line this weekend, when he takes on Russia’s Anatoly Malykhin – himself the current interim heavyweight champ. De Ridder boasts a perfect 16-0 record, including four submission wins since joining ONE in 2019, and is the current middleweight and light heavyweight champion, and will make his first LHW defence against the man from Kemerovo. Also undefeated with an 11-0 record, Malykhin has never been out of the second round in his ONE career with three impressive stoppages with his hands. This is a classic BJJ v Striking battle and will be a thriller for the fans.
Ruotolo defends his world title
Less than two months after becoming ONE’s first ever lightweight submission grappling world champion, Kade Ruotolo is back and defending his belt. At just 19-years-of-age, Hawaii-native Ruotolo was always considered a prodigy, but now has the title to back up his spectacular skill. He needed just four minutes to win the title against Uali Kurzhev, and has only been in ONE since May. His opponent is multiple BJJ world champ Matheus Gabriel from Brazil. With stunning technique and a desire to go hunting submissions, Gabriel might just be Ruotolo’s toughest task to date. You will also be able to see Kade’s twin brother Tye in action on the Lead Card.
New mum puts her title on the line
Most fighters have a reason to step into battle, for Allycia Hellen Rodrigues that reason has just got a whole lot more apparent. After giving birth for the first time, The Brazilian says she is more hungry than ever and will bring a new level of performance when she defends her atomweight Muay Thai title against America’s Janet Todd. Rodrigues has not fought in more than two years, but has spoken of her confidence that giving birth changes nothing when it comes to her level of physical performance. Todd is the interim champ in the division and also holds the atomweight kickboxing world title so come into this intriguing battle with real pedigree.
A much-anticipated debut
Croatia’s Roberto Soldic steps into the ONE arena for the first time this weekend, and fans around the world are extremely excited to see him in action. With a 20-3 record, he has built up a fearsome reputation in Europe’s and a glance at his record tells you why. Of those 20 wins, an incredible 17 have come via KO or TKO, with two decisions and a submission to his name. This is an elite striker, with devastating one-shot knockout power – blink and you will miss it. Undefeated wrestler Murad Ramazanov has the task of welcoming Soldic to the welterweight division but will go into the fight with confidence given his 11-0 record, and three wins under his belt in ONE.
ONE Fight Night 5: De Ridder vs. Malykhin takes place Saturday December 3 5am GST at the Mall Of Asia Arena, Manila. This is a night not to be missed so mark your calendars, download the ONE Super App, and go to watch.onefc.com now!
