“Reug Reug” Oumar Kane receives homecoming parade in Senegal

ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane wasn’t kidding when he said he had a nation behind him. And that was on show when he returned to his home country this past week. 

Kane fought off now two-weight ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykhin in the main event of ONE 169 on Friday, November 9. In doing so, he became the newly minted heavyweight king inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. 

This past Friday, November 15, Kane returned to Senegal where he was greeted by media, dancers, fans, and Ministry of Sports representative Mr. Cheikh Fall. 

Afterward, Kane and his team took a caravan to Thiaroye Sur-Mer as thousands of Senegalese supporters marched beside him. The legion of fans sang as their new champ made his way through the surrounding towns.  

Once he arrived at Thiaroye Sur-Mer, even more celebratory events kicked off. And notable figures congratulated him on his monumental success. 

In his honor, the people of Senegal have also made a mural of Kane that perfectly captures “Reug Reug’s” fighting spirit, which he was pictured next to over the weekend. 

It’s safe to say Senegal’s favorite son has been welcomed home with open arms as his popularity continues to soar. So you can only imagine how many crowds will gather when he defends his crown for the first time. 

Who will Oumar Kane face first as ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion?

The heavyweight MMA scene is a vastly different world than it was two years ago. And with ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion Oumar Kane at the helm, he has a litany of contenders ready to emerge. 

These options include an immediate rematch with two-weight ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykhin, which many fans expect to take place early in 2025. 

If not the Russian marauder, Kane could battle another familiar foe in Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida. The Brazilian returned to winning ways at ONE 169 following their August 2023 affair that Kane won. And given his dominant showing, Almeida would love another crack at the Senegalese superstar.