Major Disruptions at ONE 173 Event
ONE Championship’s highly anticipated event, ONE 173, has faced significant challenges as a result of unexpected injuries and withdrawals. The most notable setback involves Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane, who was forced to withdraw from his rematch against Anatoly Malykhin for the heavyweight MMA world title. This decision came after Kane suffered a serious car accident in Dubai, which left him hospitalized and unable to continue training for the fight.
The Senegalese fighter, known for his impressive performances in the octagon, was seen in hospital through images shared by his team. However, they have chosen to keep other details of the incident private. In response to the news, ONE Championship expressed their hope for a swift recovery for Reug Reug on their social media platforms.
In addition to Kane’s withdrawal, the Russian two-division champion Anatoly Malykhin has also been removed from the card. No replacement fights have been announced, marking another disruption for the event.
Malykhin had been looking forward to this rematch after losing his heavyweight belt to Reug Reug in a controversial split decision during their encounter in Bangkok last year. The cancellation of this high-profile bout is a major blow to the excitement surrounding the event.
Other Withdrawals and Adjustments
The challenges for ONE 173 have not stopped with the removal of Reug Reug and Malykhin. Last week, Jonathan Haggerty had to pull out of his bantamweight Muay Thai title defense against Nabil Anane due to a partial tear in his right shoulder sustained during training on Koh Samui. As a result, Anane will now compete in a kickboxing match against Japanese debutant Hiromi Wajima, the former K-1 super welterweight champion.
Another change occurred when India’s Ritu Phogat had to withdraw from her atomweight MMA clash with Itsuki Hirata due to a knee injury. Japan’s Chihiro Sawada has stepped in as her replacement, ensuring that the event continues to feature a strong lineup of fighters.
Despite these setbacks, ONE 173 remains one of the promotion’s most ambitious shows of the year. The event is set to feature five world title fights, including:
- Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs Nong-O Hama for the vacant flyweight Muay Thai crown
- Superbon vs Masaaki Noiri to unify the featherweight kickboxing belts
These matches highlight the depth of talent and competition that ONE Championship continues to deliver to its fans.
The Future of the Heavyweight Rematch
The highly anticipated heavyweight rematch between Reug Reug and Malykhin, which was expected to take place a year after their controversial encounter at Lumpinee Stadium, will now have to be rescheduled. This delay may affect the momentum of both fighters as they prepare for future challenges.
As the event approaches, the focus will remain on the remaining fights and the exciting matchups that are still set to take place. Fans can look forward to a night filled with intense competition and world-class talent, despite the challenges faced by the organizers.