Newly crowned ONE heavyweight champion [autotag]Arjan Bhullar[/autotag] has aspirations of hoisting up two belts someday.
Bhullar (11-1) recently made history by becoming the first fighter of Indian descent to win a title in mixed martial arts when he stopped Brandon Vera in the second round to claim the heavyweight belt at “ONE Championship: Dangal” in Singapore.
Having competed at heavyweight for his entire pro career, Bhullar is now seeking a move down to light heavyweight to chase after a second belt – but not until he’s defended his heavyweight title first.
“I’m always looking for another challenge and to make history and grow,” Bhullar told MMA Junkie. “Vera tried to go down and was unsuccessful, so there’s never been anyone from ONE that’s gone down and got the light heavyweight belt. Definitely that’s on the radar, and that’s something that I would want to do.
“Immediately, no. I want to defend this, and we actually got some stuff cooking in the oven with pro wrestling, as well, but that is on the radar. I’m always looking for new and exciting stuff, rather than rinse and repeat.”
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When Bhullar made the walk against Vera, it was his first fight since October 2019, marking the longest time away from competition since childhood for the lifelong wrestler. Currently riding a four-fight winning streak, the 35-year-old Bhullar aims to be an active champion.
“This is the longest layoff I’ve had of my entire life since I was a little toddler from competition,” Bhullar said. “I’m not used to sitting around for a year, year-plus. I want to compete, so that’s going to happen, and that’s going to happen quick. I just want to enjoy this for now. I finally got out of quarantine, and get some fresh air and sunlight, and we’ll get back into it.”
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