How Oumar Kane’s uncle inspired him to fight: “I was always amazed”
Every fighter has an origin story. For heavyweight MMA star “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane, his began when he lost his father as a young boy.
The Senegalese sensation challenges three-weight ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykhin for the latter’s heavyweight crown at ONE 169, which airs this Friday, November 8, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
After his father passed away, Kane’s uncle stepped up to support his mother and two siblings. It was a bold move, but that also gave him a pivotal role model to look up to. And all these years later, the 32-year-old now believes it’s his time to return the favor.
“My uncle is very, very nice. He taught me everything. Before, when I had nothing, he would give me money, and take care of me, my mom, my brother, and my little sister. He’s a good uncle,” Kane said.
“I make sure he is good, as I am now responsible for a lot of people, just like he was.”
On top of providing for his family, “Reug Reug’s” uncle is also the reason he developed a love for combat sports.
He was a prominent figure in Senegalese wrestling, fighting in stadiums on a regular basis. So Kane would often go along to watch him train. Naturally, that unlocked a passion for competition inside of him, too.
“He was a legend in the sport, but I can’t remember his record as I was only a kid,” he said.
“I was always amazed by the training and competitions I witnessed.”
Oumar Kane plans to shock the world at ONE 169
When “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane steps inside the ring this Friday, November 8, it’ll be the biggest test of his career.
The Senegalese behemoth meets unbeaten three-weight ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykhin in the main event of ONE 169. And unsurprisingly, the challenger believes he can shock the world.
Despite his gigantic frame and heavy punching power, Kane has been the subject of underestimation on plenty of occasions. But he’s never let it define him. Instead, he’s used it as motivation.
That was never more prevalent than when he collided with 17-time BJJ World Champion Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida at ONE Fight Night 13 in August last year. Many expected the Brazilian to outgrapple Kane, but the 32-year-old surprised all onlookers.
Over a gritty three-round dogfight, Kane proved he’s more than just a Senegalese wrestler by taking home the unanimous decision win.
Unmistakably, Malykhin is a different kettle of fish altogether. The Russian has 10 knockouts in 14 wins, having stopped every opponent in ONE Championship.
But when the chips are stacked against “Reug Reug,” that’s when he performs best. And ONE’s land of giants may just have a new World Champion come Friday night.
