“Reug Reug” Oumar Kane has a massive showdown with triple-World Champion Anatoly Malykhin set for ONE 169: Atlanta later this fall, but that won’t stop him from stepping inside the ring this Friday, July 5.
At ONE Fight Night 23: Ok vs. Rasulov, “Reug Reug” will try to settle a score with fellow Senegalese sensation Boucher Ketchup.
And it’s safe to say that Ketchup is excited for his chance to step up onto the global stage in the heavyweight kickboxing encounter.
“I’m known in Senegal for the electrifying atmosphere I bring to combat sports, from the press to the faceoff up until the arena. It’s never a dull moment when Boucher Ketchup is around,” Ketchup told ONE Championship.
The matchup with Senegal’s biggest star has long been in the plan for the 34-year-old.
It is a point of pride to deliver a message back home that there is more than one martial arts superstar from the country.
“I am fighting ‘Reug Reug’ to show the Senegal fans and the world that I am greater than him. It was always a fight to be made, and it’s now finally happening,” the Senegalese star stated.
The two share even more than just a home country. The two have roots in Senegalese wrestling. However, this will be a kickboxing contest, challenging both men outside their comfort zone.
Still, Ketchup feels the familiarity will lend itself well in the matchup this Friday.
“His strengths are similar to mine as we have the same combat origin. He transitioned into MMA before me, but it’s the same origin,” Ketchup remarked.
“His weakness is fighting someone who knows him from Senegal wrestling. I know every move he’s going to make.”
While all eyes will be on the top heavyweight contender, Ketchup is not coming to lay down. He is expecting a huge upset in his debut to shake up the martial arts scene and state his own arrival on the global stage.
“I’ll knock him out in the second round and show ONE I can do it. Boucher Ketchup is here,” Ketchup said.
ONE Fight Night 23 airs live and free on Prime Video at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Friday, July 5, to all Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.