From Sand to Stardom: The Unstoppable Rise of Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane, ONE Heavyweight World Champion

Oumar Kane, famously known as “Reug Reug,” carved his path to ONE Championship through an unconventional journey that reflects his unique roots and remarkable talent.

Today, he stands tall as the ONE Heavyweight World Champion, a testament to his extraordinary journey and dominance in the sport.

Hailing from Thiaroye sur Mer, a small coastal town on the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal, Kane grew up as one of six siblings. At the age of 16, he began practicing “mbapatte,” a traditional wrestling style with deep roots among the Serer people.

Reug Reug took down Bombardier in a packed stadium. Photo credit: YouTube screenshot

With his family’s encouragement, Kane moved to a Serer village to master the intricacies of this ancient art form.

Leaving home marked the beginning of an impressive career in “lutte avec frappe,” a traditional Senegalese wrestling style that incorporates striking and takes place in sandy arenas.

Watch below the video of Reug Reug dominating Serigne Ousmane Dia popularly known as the Bombardier in wrestling before he joined the MMA world.

Although relatively unknown in global mixed martial arts circles, this discipline commands immense popularity in Senegal, often drawing massive crowds. Over the years, Kane competed in hundreds of matches, honing his craft and becoming a sensation.

By the time he returned to Dakar at 20, Kane was already a star, boasting a flawless 16-0 record at the prestigious Stade Demba Diop Stadium, where he faced some of the nation’s top lutte avec frappe athletes.

Kane’s transition to mixed martial arts in 2019 skyrocketed his profile on the international stage.

His imposing physique and captivating background story earned him widespread social media attention. In 2021, he made his ONE Championship debut, defeating four-time Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion Alain Ngalani in a dominant first-round performance.

Since joining the organization, “Reug Reug” has become a formidable force in the heavyweight division, thrilling fans with his raw power, explosive style, and relentless drive in the Circle.

His relentless pursuit of excellence culminated in him claiming the prestigious ONE Heavyweight World Title, solidifying his legacy as one of the most exciting and dominant athletes in the sport.