Reug Reug withdraws from Anatoly Malykhin rematch after car crash in United Arab Emirates | BJPenn.com

The dreams of defending champions shattered in an instant. “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane suffered injuries in a serious car accident that forced him to withdraw from the highly anticipated rematch of ONE 173’s heavyweight title.

The ONE heavyweight MMA world champion prepared to defend his crown against Anatoly Malykhin on AN 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 33-year-old Senegalese superstar’s accident took place in the United Arab Emirates. ONE Championship did not disclose the extent of his injuries.

Kane dethroned the then undefeated Malykhin at ONE 169 in November. He used improved striking and wrestling techniques to defeat the Russian via split decision after an entertaining five-round war at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.

That historic win made Reug Reug Africa’s first ONE World Champion. He extended his winning streak to five and handed Malykhin his first career defeat, taking the Russian’s previously unblemished record to 14–1.

The Senegalese wrestler returned home for a big celebration. Thousands of supporters greeted him at Blaise Diagne International Airport with dancers and prominent figures honoring his achievement. A mural depicting his fighting spirit now stands in his hometown.

ONE 173 retains the stacked card despite Reug Reug’s withdrawal

ONE 173 still features 17 matchups in MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing and submission wrestling, despite losing the heavyweight title rematch. Four additional world title fights headline the spectacle in Tokyo.

Superbon defends his ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship against interim titleholder Masaaki Noiri in the main event unification bout. The winner will claim undisputed status in the 155-pound kickboxing division.

Rodtang Jitmuangnon also fights striking icon Nong-O Hama for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship. The all-Thai classic promises fireworks between two iconic fighters in search of gold.

Nadaka Yoshinari meets Numsurin Chor Ketwina for the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title. The Japanese representative faces the Thai destroyer with history on the line.

Christian Lee defends his ONE Lightweight MMA world title in a rematch against undefeated Turkish standout Alibeg Rasulov. Their first meeting ended in a controversial no-contest.

Finally, Joshua Pacio steps up from strawweight to challenge Yuya Wakamatsu for the ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship. The Philippine champion will test himself against Japan’s hometown hero as he chases glory in two divisions.