Undefeated Russian Anatoly Malykhin has two belts of the Asian ONE promotion at once. The athlete has the status of one of the best light heavyweights and heavyweights in the world of mixed martial arts. The Sport correspondent spoke with the fighter about his career, snickering athletes, family and raising children.
About the confrontation with Bullar
— The unification duel with Arzhan Bullar has already been broken several times through the fault of the Canadian.
— Five times!
— In the summer in Bangkok they will try to bring you together again. Is it difficult to prepare for an opponent who can “jump off” at any moment?
— Sport is my life. Some athletes train for a fight, then rest. I train constantly. I can «jump out» with it in a week. The date of the fight was moved: it was July, now it is June. I say: «No problem, fit all year round.» With him, I could find some way out, talk with the boss that this fight is no longer needed. But there is unfinished business. I am sure that this time he will come out.
If he «falls off» again, I will have a duel with another opponent. I want to fight Rainier de Ridder again. He recently posted a post that I was lucky (in the first meeting). For two minutes, this right one will fly into the belly.
— There is hostility. He wrote a couple of unpleasant posts about my son, wife.
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I love trash talk: if you go to social networks, you can see how I make fun of some fighters. But I never turn to parents, wives, children. Sport is a noble cause. And those who cross the line are not worthy of respect. I wrote to the boss: “If I see him before the fight, I don’t answer for myself. I’ll definitely kick a couple of times under f***.
— Bullar hasn’t fought since May 2021, but he still has the belt. Why is that?
— No explanation. I myself would have been without a fight for a year, if not for my beloved wife, part-time manager. I fought for a temporary belt, and then they offered De Ridder. Before that, Bullara was promised. «Sweet» said: «We must fight (with De Ridder), this cockerel (Bullar) will not.» And everyone made a decision. It's good that they fought for another belt.Bullar slows down the entire heavyweight division. We are not getting younger, every guy dreams of fighting for the title. They plow every day and see how the belt will be raised above their heads. We must give them a chance. And you, if you don’t want to fight, come and say like a man: “I’m on a break for the time being, I leave the belt. When I want to return, give a fight for the title.”
img src=»/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/071dee280e6025ea19383cf364049e06.jpg» >About the failed superfight against Ngannou
— The main news of recent days: former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was in talks with ONE. It's a shame that the signing didn't happen? I know one thing: he is within my power, I would like to fight. There is a major league. When Cristiano Ronaldo, like Khabib, can come to you. The stars communicate with each other. And I'm somewhere in the middle — a fight with Ngannou would be my ticket to the elite. I love challenges! Many people write to me: “Where are you going! Ngannou will blow your head off, you will remain disabled.” I'm interested in going out and proving to myself that I'm handsome.
The boys called from their homeland: «Tolyan, ONE is signing Ngannou! Do you remember, four years ago you were in the same room, you said that you would have given him a normal fight.» But, damn it, 20 lyam was not enough for Ngannou.
— Speaking of a $20 million guaranteed fee, ONE head Chatri Sityodtong, quoted by the Daily Star, said that Ngannou still demanded membership on the board of directors and the ability to determine the earnings of a rival. Sounds crazy.
— Certainly! He asked for 20 million for the exit, how much more will be on top. And determine the opponent's fee — how will you do it? In general, the line is incomprehensible.
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I don't know what he's waiting for. What can happen to him: he ruined relations with the UFC, he began to go too far with ONE. Boxing? Who needs him there? There are four "heavy" (Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder), who will soon reveal the best. The heads of promotions can call, write off and agree to teach other fighters a lesson on his example. No need to look up! They'll just leave him out, and in a month they'll forget about him. There are no irreplaceable ones, I repeat this all my life. Do not put yourself above others, do not put yourself on a pedestal. There will be no Ngannou — there will be another, there will be no Malykhin — there will be another. This can play a cruel joke, you have to take your head.
Can you imagine: a man worked at a construction site for a bottle of water. He came to the UFC, he was paid good money and made someone who is able to help others. Buy a house, good things … Started to «gas». I came from Kemerovo, I did not see life, I lived in a «Khrushchev» — the boss gave me a job. Yes, I don't get the most in the world. But I have enough to help people, so that the family and parents live well. Don't fly away, be grateful. Let's dream: Malykhin and Ngannou were still locked in a cage. What's the plan?
— He doesn't exist at all. I jump out to the cabin, just on instinct! From many I hear: «Here, something went wrong for me.» From the first fights, I attack the opponent and look at the weak points. I navigate the cage along the way.
And reasoning is a thankless task. It will be pleasing to God — (with Ngannou) we will meet. UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan is on a terrifying three-fight streak. How do you explain such a decline?- The person from whom I take an example. Petya is a plowman, he gives himself completely in training. Story. We go by car, we can't see anything a meter away, it's pouring downpour. I call Johnny (coach John Hutchinson): «No one will come to the stadium! We are washed away by a car.» He replies that we will. We stop at the stadium — Petya is standing on the striker. It is light, it is lifted by the wind, staggers. «Boys, let's plow!»
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Petya is a little unlucky. It started when he overlooked in a completely won fight with (Aljamain) Sterling and landed a knee. The next fight with him also won, in my opinion. The fifth round, the championship, took, although in the first and lost in the fight. According to the last fight, with Merab Dvalishvili. In Thailand, he was in optimal shape. I worked with good guys, drove them, gave the pace. Upon arrival in America, something happens, I can’t explain. He does not like to talk about it … Someone claims that there was an injury. For the next fight, I will try to do everything to fly with him. I think that you need to pump emotionally, give gas. Like a rocket, just throw a match!
And so he has everything. Great fight defense, hits well, hunter's instinct. I am sure that he will return, take the belt. Mark my words.
Everyone has bad days. Today there are two «deuces» at school, and five «fives» tomorrow. In the morning I came to work — everything falls out of hand, the day did not work out. Tomorrow — chick! — Everything seems to be fine. Same in battles. We do not know what Petya had. People see the end result, the tip of the iceberg. And the night before the battle, two or three days. Nobody sees.
— Many fans after the March nightmare wrote that Peter «burned out». Nonsense?
— No athlete will be pleased when you are «pressed» and make controversial decisions. Petya is a strong guy. I don't think that's exactly what happened. I thought a lot, I don't have a clear explanation. Just a bad day, it didn't work.
It's a shame that we treat defeats as if the supernatural had happened. They start hating, looking for reasons when support is needed. I look at the Europeans: I lost the battle, everyone supports him. There are bad days — get up and work. We have the same: «You're a bag!» All merits are forgotten, it's a shame. How many colorful fights Petya gave, how many emotions. Only one fight lost undeniably, and people go: «Yes, he's not the same.» It also presses. More and more after every fight. Maybe it's psychological. These are hard for me. Petya is not a stranger, I believe in him. I want to ask for more support for all our athletes. We must unite and drown to the end!
— Yang is challenged by the top divisions, among them — Marlon Vera and Song Yadong. In your opinion, is it worth it to choose an opponent easier in this position and win a landslide victory? Or continue to cut with the best?
— If you are in the top — fight with the tops. Petya can win anyone, you have to prove that you are the best.
I heard about Peter that he took a lot of fights with injuries. Great spirit guy, never talked about it. And there was such a moment: I had a fight for a temporary belt, and I tore my hip, and I also got sick with a coronavirus. I go up to Petya, sit down: «Brother, it's hard to walk. The leg does not bend, covid. I think I'll take it off.» And he: «No, brother, you have to do it.» This is the whole Petya.
About the new UFC star Pavlovich
— Sergey Pavlovich with six knockouts in a row «nightmare» UFC heavyweight division — Are you impressed by your compatriot?
— Even when I got up in sparring with Seryoga. He did not hit, a hand passed nearby. I then «threw» the temperature. 37.2! I think it blew from his blows.
Its dope is cosmic. Physically gifted. Now I felt the strength, got used to the UFC. This is one name: there are the same people, athletes, everyone can be defeated. Gained confidence – it is very important, I judge by my fights. There is no way to say: «Serge, Ezhkin cat, you're just a machine! Six people dug in the first round. The belt is yours!»Gray, if he goes into exchanges, then he is confident in himself. Belt in two steps. I had the honor to work with him: the force of impact, kindness, modesty. I'm generally happy for him. For all our athletes, worthy guys! I'm worried, I try to write to them «Let's go, boys!» I am glad that ordinary guys got the luck to be an example for the young, to represent the country and prove that Russians are very strong athletes.
God bless Seryoga health! So that in the first round he would «lay down» everyone and take bonuses.
Is Pavlovich able to beat the «greatest» John Jones?
— He's the same person! Undoubtedly, Jones is a legend. The best fighter on the planet. Alexander Karelin was also like that, he won a cosmic number of fights. But he came out against an American (Rulon Gardner in the final of the Olympic Games in Sydney) and stumbled. No one is invincible: Mike Tyson was losing, Muhammad Ali was losing.
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Serega is a natural «heavy», and Jones was gaining weight. Pavlovich has a punch, physics, protection from takedowns. I sincerely believe that he can win. Moreover, Jones after the break. He can get high. Serega does not allow himself this, he is much more motivated. He is now capable of any UFC heavyweight. We just have to support the boy! Even a message, to be close to this victory: "Serge, gas to the floor! Jones Jones, one round.
— Many, including Jones, say that Pavlovich lacks hype. The same thrash current that we have already started talking about.
— All different. Someone can joke, tease, and someone modest, proves it with deeds, with beautiful fights. Well, he does not have a soul, even if it is necessary. But what fights! The main thing is not to go and brew tea, Seryozhka will «put it down» — do not tear yourself away from the screen. All under one (comb) can not be cut. Someone with fists, someone with fists and thrash current, and someone just talks and falls. Fedor Emelianenko, Vadya Nemkov — the guys prove it with deeds. People like Malykhin can crackle. Conor (McGregor) can crackle, catch courage somewhere. There is an audience for every fighter.
Now the audience is full, it's not enough just fighting. We used to include boxing and MMA, there was no thrash talk. He recently completely settled down, although he was a single product. For example, Ali. But to each his own. Gray chose the path, he likes it so much.
About life in Thailand
— Judging by the social networks, I caught you during the move to a new home in Phuket.
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Yes, we used to live in the same villa. And although the money is found, but (the owners) «borsch» with the price. We moved into an apartment, it's a bit cramped. So, we moved out with my son to take a walk on the beach. A friend says: «Tolyan, there is a good place.» We have been living here for the third year, it was under our noses: a zoo with a white peacock, a view of the sea, a protected area without fences. Paradise place. Purely Europe, only in Thailand. We moved joyful to a new house.
I don't feel strong emotions. New preparations have begun. Two workouts a day.
—Thailand is a paradise for Russians who are tired of the harsh life. What else do you like about an Asian country?
— pluses the sea. This is the best place for an athlete — just for life, maybe there are better. When we signed a contract with ONE, I immediately realized that it was very difficult to fly back and forth during acclimatization. The preparation will not be so good. We looked, chose Phuket. There is excellent food: meat, fruits. Sunshine all year round. I come from Siberia — my brother called, on the first of May it snowed.
Here people love sports. Thais are obsessed with it, with Thai boxing, a warm attitude towards athletes. You feel it everywhere. And captivates their attitude. Even on the road, standing at a traffic light and «blunted» on the phone — the Thai will never honk. Will wait until you go.
There are also many sparring partners here. Turnover. Fighters come from UFC, Bellator, ONE, our promotions. Get to know each other, learn from each other. What else to praise this place? I love nature very much. I lived in Moscow, I feel stuffy there, traffic jams, people are running somewhere. Here life is measured. You come, you don’t spend a lot of time on the road, everything is at hand. You can spend more time with your family. It is very important. You know, people who make good money, they sacrifice something. Someone health, someone time with relatives. And I always wanted to do what I love and be with my family as much as possible. I think that everything turned out thanks to Phuket and my patience (laughs).
— Are there really no shortcomings? , then the Thais are a little «sabai-sabai» (easy-easy). You agreed on seven, for example. We have 90% of people at seven and will come. A Thai can be at 11! And say: «Dude, I'm sorry, I wanted to sleep.» It's a lifestyle, you have to accept it. Relaxed, not chasing anything.
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Sometimes, very rarely, you want to stomp on the snow! If he had been here for two weeks, he would have fallen, looked like, disappeared. Coolness at times hunting. When it's hot, it's hard to be outside. In the north of the country you can catch 23 degrees. We now have «thirty». But it's fresh, the sun doesn't bake.
And also the prices. It was believed when I moved that Thailand was cheap. Now the course is tight. Who earns in rubles, even more expensive than in Moscow.
strong> — I almost forgot about your new gym. A fat hint at what Anatoly Malykhin will do after his retirement?
— I'm helping a friend. We have a network of gyms in Siberia. A friend says: “Tolyanchik, why not open in Thailand? And everything turned out, opened! But the Thais painted the walls for three months (smiles). They may sleep, they may not go to work.
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I like to train. Not adults, but children. There was a time, even scored a group. blissed out. The kids come and say: «Uncle Tol, let's have a hard workout!» At first there was jitters: "What to do?" But then, after a week, he got involved. I'm waiting for the children to have training in the evening, I miss them. Liked the coaching. When I quit sports, it will be one of those areas in which I want to develop.
About education
—Your son is growing up. How do you feel about the fact that he will follow in the footsteps of his father and become an athlete?
— The boy should be close to the sport, 100%. Maybe he won't be a pro. What has sport given me? discipline. I get up early, things are on the shelves. Good daddy's saying: «F***l — wipe your f**k.» It's discipline (laughs). And if the son is not with the sport — his choice. He doesn't belong to me. God forbid, when he grows up, he will remember me and come. Whatever he chooses, I will support. While small, I will give maximum knowledge. So that the son was sociable, knew English, taught poetry. And then he will have tools to choose from.
We need to hear, we need to talk. With my wife for six years, not a single quarrel. We need to discuss something — sit down and discuss. I think the same with a child. You should not realize ambitions through it. I see a lot of how parents train their child (shouting): «Come on! Tear!» Who to tear? He is still a child. It is important not to drive. Childhood should be enjoyed. Up to 7-8 grades this is entertainment, pleasure. Don't steal your childhood. Let the son and wife get high, and dad will work.
— If he wants to become a professional MMA fighter?
— Only help. We will find a good coach, we will select a camp. God will give the opportunity, there will be finances — he will travel to the training camp. I do not give a new «iPhone» — I will give knowledge. Do you want to become an MMA fighter? No problem. Do, earn, move — I'm there. I do not want to spoil, because a man should be hungry. It is important to wake up and understand that you have not done everything yet. And when everything comes easily, it disappears.
The buzz when the family achieved everything gradually. Favorite things when moving sold. And where are we now? Probably, this path is the main buzz in life. And I don't want to steal from my son. So that he then sat down and said to grandfather Tolya: «Here I exploded. Handsome. I achieved that myself, there is a result.» This is important for me to hear. And I told him: «Son, then let's take a steam bath!»