ONE Championship has confirmed that reigning ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane has been involved in a serious car accident. The Senegalese powerhouse, who was scheduled to defend his title against Anatoly Malykhin at ONE 173, will now see his highly anticipated bout postponed as he focuses on recovery.

Reug Reug, known for his incredible wrestling pedigree and explosive power, captured the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Championship earlier this year after a dominant run in the division. With a professional MMA record of 7 wins and 1 loss, the 32-year-old has quickly become one of the most formidable heavyweights in global mixed martial arts. His mix of traditional Senegalese wrestling (Laamb) and raw athleticism made him a fan favorite since debuting in ONE Championship.

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His upcoming title defense against Anatoly Malykhin, who already holds titles in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, was one of the most anticipated matchups of the year. The bout was expected to headline ONE 173, promising a massive clash between two of the most dominant forces in the promotion.

ONE Championship released a statement wishing Reug Reug a full and swift recovery while assuring fans that updates will follow regarding his condition and the rescheduling of the title defense.

The MMA community has since flooded social media with messages of support for the champion, hoping to see the Senegalese star make a strong and healthy return to the cage soon.

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