'Reug Reug' pulls out of Anatoly Malykhin rematch at ONE 173 after getting in a car accident in Dubai

Reigning ONE heavyweight MMA world champion 'Reug Reug' Oumar Kane is out of his eagerly anticipated world title rematch with Anatoly Malykhin at ONE 173 inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Sunday, Nov. 16.

Per ONE Championship's official website, the Senegalese powerhouse was involved in a serious car accident in the United Arab Emirates region.

A report from Nick Atkin via Bangkok Post, meanwhile, states that the heavyweight kingpin was hospitalised following the incident and has been unable to see off the final stretch of his fight camp.

The extent of the 33-year-old's injuries has not been disclosed, but it marks a major blow for Africa's first ONE world champion, who was fired up to pull a 2-0 lead against the two-division MMA kingpin at ONE 173 in Tokyo, Japan.

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'Reug Reug' eked out a split decision win over Malykhin during their five-round scrap at ONE 169 in November last year, which also earned him the accolade as the first man to hand Malykhin a defeat.

Despite the latest setback, ONE 173, which takes place on Nov. 16, is still stacked to the brim with several blockbuster duels from start to finish.

Complete ONE 173 card

Superbon (c) vs. Masaaki Noiri (interim champ) - ONE featherweight kickboxing world title unification

Yuya Wakamatsu (c) vs. Joshua Pacio - ONE flyweight MMA world title

Nadaka vs. Numsurin Chor Ketwina - ONE atomweight Muay Thai world title

Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Nong-O Hama - ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title

Christian Lee (c) vs. Alibeg Rasulov - ONE lightweight MMA world title

Takeru Segawa vs. Denis Puric (kickboxing - flyweight)

Marat Grigorian vs. Rukiya Anpo (kickboxing - featherweight)

Superlek Kiatmoo9 vs. Yuki Yoza (kickboxing - bantamweight)

Nabil Anane vs. Hiromi Wajima (kickboxing - featherweight)

Stamp Fairtex vs. Kana Morimoto (kickboxing - atomweight)

Shozo Isojima vs. Tye Ruotolo (MMA - lightweight)

Giancarlo Bodoni vs. Rafael Lovato Jr. (submission grappling - middleweight)

Jake Peacock vs. Suaki Sor Jor Tongprajin (Muay Thai - bantamweight)

Ryugo Takeuchi vs. Shamil Erdogan (MMA - heavyweight)

Shinya Aoki vs. Hiroyuki Tetsuka (MMA - lightweight)

Chihiro Sawada vs. Itsuki Hirata (MMA - atomweight)

Wei Rui vs. Hiroki Akimoto (kickboxing - bantamweight)

Fight fans can purchase their PPV tickets for ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri here.

Follow One Championship News, Schedule & Results at Sportskeeda.

Edited by Aziel Karthak