The 24-year-old Russian returns to action against undefeated Akbar “Bakal” Abdullaev at ONE Fight Night 35 on September 5, carrying with him the wisdom and guidance of his mentor, friend, and surrogate brother – two-division ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin.
Their relationship began with necessity. Dauev, contemplating a move from the snowy mountains of Chechnya to Thailand in pursuit of better career opportunities, reached out to Malykhin for guidance. What he received exceeded every expectation.
“I first reached out to Anatoly, asking for help with my fight. He responded immediately and suggested I contact Anita. He advised me. Together, they helped me get a fight in ONE Championship,” Dauev recalled.
But Malykhin’s support extended far beyond professional connections. When Dauev arrived in Thailand to begin this new chapter, the heavyweight champion was waiting at the airport. He arranged accommodation, provided city tours, shared meals – gestures that revealed the character behind Malykhin’s success.
“He’s a great person, a reliable friend, a devoted family man, and an exceptional athlete to follow,” Dauev said.
The mentorship evolved naturally into something deeper. Malykhin’s influence touches every aspect of Dauev’s development, from technical preparation to character formation, creating a comprehensive approach to professional growth.
“As a mentor, he’s really great – he always tells you what to do. His mentorship has influenced me in everything, both in and out of the ring.
In the ring, he toughened my character, and outside the ring, he showed me that the most important thing is to be human,” he said.
What emerges from Dauev’s words is recognition of a relationship that transcends typical athlete mentoring. This represents a genuine familial connection forged through shared experiences and mutual respect.
“Right now, I think our relationship is like a brotherhood – we’re not just friends, but family. I respect him as my older brother, and he reciprocates my respect,” he said.
Training alongside someone who achieved the unprecedented – becoming the first three-division MMA World Champion in the sport’s history – provides daily inspiration and proof that ambitious dreams can become reality.
“It’s always a pleasure to train side by side with a World Champion – you feel that you can become a champion yourself one day if you work just as hard,” Dauev said.
As Dauev prepares to extend his perfect promotional record to 4-0, he carries forward the lessons learned from watching Malykhin’s approach to both training and life. The confidence gained from this brotherhood extends beyond personal achievement to supporting his mentor’s continued success.
Looking ahead to Malykhin’s heavyweight title challenge against “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane at ONE 173 on November 16, Dauev’s belief remains absolute.
“He’s going to have three belts – it’s going to happen.” he said.
“And I want to become a champion like him. If he could do it, then I can do it – I know it’s just a matter of time.”
