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Arjan Bhullar

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Arjan Bhullar
BornArjan Singh Bhullar
(1986-05-13) May 13, 1986 (age 38)
Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight245 lb (111 kg; 18 st)
DivisionHeavyweight
Reach76 in (193 cm)
StyleWrestling
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofRichmond, British Columbia, Canada
TeamCheckmat Vancouver (formerly)[1]
American Kickboxing Academy (2014–present)[1][2]
WKX Vancouver[2]
WrestlingOlympic Freestyle Wrestling[3]
NAIA Wrestling[4]
Years active2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total14
Wins11
By knockout4
By decision7
Losses3
By knockout1
By submission1
By disqualification1
Amateur record
Total1
Wins1
Other information
UniversitySimon Fraser University
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing  Canada
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 2010 Delhi 120 kg
Pan American Games
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Rio De Janeiro 120 kg
World University Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Ulanbataar 120 kg
FILA Grand Prix of Germany
Gold medal – first place 2012 Cologne 120 kg
Pan American Olympic Qualification Tournament
Gold medal – first place 2012 Kissimmee 120 kg
Representing the Simon Fraser Clan
CIS National Championships
Gold medal – first place 2009 Calgary 130 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Simon Fraser Clan
NAIA Championships
Gold medal – first place 2008 Sioux City 285 lb
Gold medal – first place 2009 Oklahoma City 285 lb
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Sioux City 285 lb

Arjan Singh Bhullar[5] (born May 13, 1986) is a Canadian mixed martial artist currently competing in the heavyweight division of ONE Championship, where he is the former ONE Heavyweight World Champion.[6] He has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[7]

Bhullar is also a former freestyle wrestler and collegiate wrestler. In freestyle, he was a CIS national champion in 2009[8] and represented Canada at the 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 World Championships, the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2012 Summer Olympics. In folkstyle, Bhullar is a two-time NAIA champion.

Wrestling career

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Early life and collegiate wrestling

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Bhullar was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. He started wrestling at a young age.[9] As a collegiate wrestler, he competed for the Simon Fraser Clan at Simon Fraser University, a NAIA university at the time. He had a successful career while wrestling at 285 pounds, placing third in 2007[10] and becoming champion in 2008 and 2009 at the NAIA Wrestling Championships. He was also named Canada's wrestler of the year and NAIA outstanding wrestler in 2009.[11][12] At the 2009 CIS Championships, Bhullar became the first wrestler to ever win the NAIA and CIS titles in the same year.[13]

Freestyle career

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For five years, Bhullar was a member of the Canadian national team and was also the 120 kg national champion from 2008 to 2012.[14] In 2006, Bhullar placed third at the World University Championships.[15] In 2007, he won a bronze medal at the Pan American Games and competed at the World Championships. He competed again at the World Championships in 2009 and 2010, in the latter year he also won the championship at 120 kg of the Commonwealth Games.[16] In 2012, he became the first Canadian wrestler with South Asian ethnicity to represent Canada at the Summer Olympics. He placed 13th.[17]

Coaching

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Bhullar was one of the founding coaches of the UFV Cascades wrestling team at University of the Fraser Valley.[14] He is also a member of his family's training center, Bhullar Wrestling Club.[18]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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In August 2014, Bhullar had his first amateur fight as a mixed martial artist. He turned pro in November of that year fighting with the Battlefield Fight League.[19] Over the next few years, Bhullar competed exclusively in his native Canada and remained undefeated with a record of six wins. Arjan won the vacant BFL Heavyweight Title with a victory over Blake Nash on October 17, 2015. He defended the title twice.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Bhullar made his promotional debut at UFC 215 on September 9, 2017, against Luis Henrique.[20] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[21]

Bhullar's next fight was against Adam Wieczorek on April 14, 2018, at UFC on Fox 29.[22] After controlling the first round with his wrestling, Bhullar would get caught with an omoplata early in the second round, officially losing the fight via submission in round 2.[23]

For his third fight with the promotion, Bhullar faced Marcelo Golm on October 27, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 138.[24] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[25]

Bhullar next faced Juan Adams on May 4, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 151.[26] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[27] The fight marked the last fight of his prevailing contract with the UFC.[28]

ONE Championship

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On July 3, 2019, it was announced that Bhullar signed a deal with Asia-based MMA promotion ONE Championship, and was expected to make his promotional debut against Mauro Cerilli at ONE Championship: Dawn of Heroes on August 2, 2019.[29][30] However, Cerilli pulled out of the bout due to staph infection and the fight was cancelled.[31] The fight eventually took place at ONE Championship: Century on October 13, 2019, with Bhullar winning by unanimous decision.[32]

ONE Heavyweight World Champion

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On February 1, 2020, it was announced that Bhullar would be challenging Brandon Vera for the ONE Heavyweight World Championship at ONE Championship: Code of Honor on May 29, 2020,[33] but the fight was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bout was rebooked to take place at ONE Championship: Dangal on May 15, 2021.[34] He defeated Vera via second-round technical knockout to win the ONE Heavyweight World Championship, becoming the first fighter of Canadian/Indian descent to win an MMA world title.[35][36]

After a contract dispute,[37] Bhullar eventually signed a new contract with the organization[38] and was scheduled to face interim champion Anatoly Malykhin for the ONE Heavyweight World Championship unification bout at ONE 161 on September 29, 2022.[39] However, Bhullar withdrew due to an injury in training, It was announced that Bhullar had surgery on the arm two weeks prior and the bout was cancelled.[40][41] The bout was rescheduled for March 25, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 8.[42] In turn, the bout was removed from the event due to a shift in broadcaster commitments and the bout will be rescheduled again to a later date.[43] The bout was scheduled on July 15, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 12.[44] However, for unknown reasons, the bout was moved to ONE Friday Fights 22 on June 22.[45] Bhullar lost the bout and the title via TKO in the third round.[46]

Post championship

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Bhullar faced Amir Aliakbari on March 1, 2024, at ONE 164.[47] He lost the fight via disqualification due to timidity in round three.[48]

Personal life

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Bhullar is of Punjabi Sikh descent.[49]

Through his MMA career, Bhullar has developed a friendship with fellow Indo-Canadian and former WWE champion Jinder Mahal.[50]

Championships and achievements

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Mixed martial arts

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Freestyle wrestling

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  • United World Wrestling
  • Wrestling Canada Lutte
    • 2012 Canadian Olympic Team Member
    • 2012 Canadian Senior National Champion
    • 2011 Canadian Senior World Team Member
    • 2011 Canadian Senior National Champion
    • 2010 Canadian Senior World Team Member
    • 2010 Canadian Senior National Champion
    • 2009 Canadian Senior Wrestler of the Year
    • 2009 Canadian Senior World Team Member
    • 2009 Canadian Senior National Champion
    • 2008 Canadian Senior National Champion
    • 2007 Canadian Senior World Team Member
    • 2006 Canadian Junior National Champion
    • 2006 Canadian Junior World Team Member
    • 2005 Canadian Junior National Champion
    • 2005 Canadian Junior World Team Member
  • Canadian Interuniversity Sport

Collegiate wrestling

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
14 matches 11 wins 3 losses
By knockout 4 1
By submission 0 1
By decision 7 0
By disqualification 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 11–3 Amir Aliakbari DQ (timidity) ONE 166 March 1, 2024 3 4:50 Lusail, Qatar The bout was ended by disqualification due to the referee giving Bhullar a red card for inactivity.
Loss 11–2 Anatoly Malykhin TKO (punches) ONE Friday Fights 22 June 23, 2023 3 2:42 Bangkok, Thailand Lost the ONE Heavyweight Championship.
Win 11–1 Brandon Vera TKO (punches) ONE: Dangal April 28, 2021 2 4:27 Kallang, Singapore Won the ONE Heavyweight Championship.
Win 10–1 Mauro Cerilli Decision (unanimous) ONE: Century – Part 2 October 13, 2019 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 9–1 Juan Adams Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy May 4, 2019 3 5:00 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Win 8–1 Marcelo Golm Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith October 27, 2018 3 5:00 Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Loss 7–1 Adam Wieczorek Submission (omoplata) UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje April 14, 2018 2 1:59 Glendale, Arizona, United States
Win 7–0 Luis Henrique Decision (unanimous) UFC 215 September 9, 2017 3 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win 6–0 Joe Yager Decision (unanimous) Battlefield Fight League 48 April 9, 2017 3 5:00 Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Win 5–0 Chris Catala TKO (punches) Hard Knocks 51 October 14, 2016 1 4:29 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Win 4–0 Ryan Pokryfky Decision (unanimous) Battlefield Fight League 45 September 17, 2016 5 5:00 Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada Defended the BFL Heavyweight Championship.
Win 3–0 Blake Nash TKO (doctor stoppage) Battlefield Fight League 39 October 17, 2015 2 5:00 Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada Won the vacant BFL Heavyweight Championship.
Win 2–0 Jon-Taine Hall Decision (unanimous) Hard Knocks 44 June 28, 2015 3 5:00 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Win 1–0 Adam Santos TKO (punches) Battlefield Fight League 33 November 7, 2014 3 2:22 Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada Heavyweight debut.

[51]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Arjan Bhullar using UFC spotlight to inspire, promote positivity". Sportsnet. October 26, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Arjan Bhullar grateful for Daniel Cormier's praise after ONE Championship title win. MMAjunkie.com. May 20, 2021 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ "2012 Summer Olympics - Athletes". Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  4. ^ "2009 NAIA National Wrestling Championship" (PDF). Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  5. ^ "Arjan Bhullar Bio".
  6. ^ "Arjan Singh Bhullar". ONE FC. July 10, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  7. ^ "Arjan Singh Bhullar". UFC. September 14, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "2009 CIS Wrestling Championship Results". U Sports Wrestling Championships. April 25, 2023.
  9. ^ motivate-admin. "Arjan Bhullar - Wrestling". www.motivatecanada.ca. Archived from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  10. ^ "Lindenwood University (MO) Wins 2007 NAIA Wrestling National Championship" (PDF).
  11. ^ "Notre Dame wins first NAIA national title in wrestling". InterMat. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  12. ^ Committee, Canadian Olympic. "ARJAN BHULLAR". www.vancouversun.com. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  13. ^ Bryant, Jason (June 7, 2009). "Bhullar first wrestler to win both NAIA and CIS Championships". The Open Mat. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  14. ^ a b UFV, 2013, Anthony Lepki, Marcom. "Arjan Bhullar | UFV Cascades". Retrieved April 27, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "2006 WUC Wrestling Results" (PDF). Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  16. ^ "Top 5 North American Collegiate Wrestlers in ONE Championship | ONE Championship - Features". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. March 18, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  17. ^ "Arjan Bhullar". Team Canada - Official Olympic Team Website. October 25, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  18. ^ Booth, Mark (May 10, 2019). "Bhullar Wrestling producing national champions". Richmond News. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  19. ^ "Olympian Arjan Bhullar makes his MMA debut on August 23rd against undefeated heavyweight Josh Morgan -". battlefieldfl.com. July 23, 2014.
  20. ^ Staff (June 8, 2017). "Luis Henrique vs. Olympian Arjan Bhullar booked for UFC 216 in Edmonton". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  21. ^ "UFC 215 results: Arjan Bhullar starts quick, survives late Luis Henrique charge". MMAjunkie. September 9, 2017. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  22. ^ Staff (January 9, 2018). "Arjan Bhullar announces UFC heavyweight bout vs. Adam Wieczorek". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  23. ^ "UFC on FOX 29 results: Adam Wieczorek struggles early, then taps Arjan Bhullar with rare omoplata". MMAjunkie. April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  24. ^ Staff (July 31, 2018). "Arjan Bhullar says he's fighting Marcelo Golm at UFC Fight Night 138". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  25. ^ "Arjan Bhullar Defeats Marcelo Golm (UFC Moncton Fight Highlights) | MMAWeekly.com". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  26. ^ Jesse Holland (February 20, 2019). "UFC Ottawa official for May 4 on ESPN+". mmamania.com. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  27. ^ Shillan, Keith (May 4, 2019). "UFC Ottawa Results: Arjan Bhullar Edges Out Juan Adams". Cageside Press. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  28. ^ Mike Bohn (May 5, 2019). "Arjan Bhullar expects new contract after UFC on ESPN+ 9 win, plans on 'neutering' Andrei Arlovski". mmajunkie.com.
  29. ^ "Arjun Bhullar signs with ONE Championship". July 3, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  30. ^ Tudor Leonte (July 5, 2019). "UFC Veteran Arjan Bhullar to Clash with Mauro Cerilli at One: Dawn of Heroes". sherdog.com.
  31. ^ Martin, Damon (August 2, 2019). "Arjan Bhullar's ONE Championship debut scrapped hours ahead of the event". MMA Fighting. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  32. ^ Tom Taylor (October 13, 2019). "Arjan Bhullar defeats Mauro Cerilli in ONE debut". bjpenn.com.
  33. ^ "Brandon Vera to defend heavyweight title against Arjan Bhullar at ONE: 'Code of Honor'". Asian MMA. February 1, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  34. ^ "Brandon Vera to defend heavyweight title against Arjan Bhullar at ONE: 'Dangal'". Asian MMA. April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  35. ^ Gasgonia, Denni (May 15, 2021). "MMA: Bhullar stops Vera, crowns self as new ONE heavyweight king". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  36. ^ "Arjan Bhullar stops Brandon Vera, claims heavyweight crown at ONE: 'Dangal'". Asian MMA. May 15, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  37. ^ Nicolas Atkin (December 27, 2021). "Exclusive &;vert ONE Championship sets up interim heavyweight title fight after Arjan Bhullar 'declines multiple offers' to defend belt". South China Morning Post.
  38. ^ Nicolas Atkin (February 9, 2022). "ONE Championship: Arjan Bhullar finally agrees new deal; heavyweight title unification fight set for summer". South China Morning Post.
  39. ^ "Arjan Bhullar vs. Anatoly Malykhin heavyweight title unification bout set for ONE Championship 161". MMA Junkie. August 10, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  40. ^ "ONE Championship announces heavyweight kickboxing Grand Prix". AsianMMA. August 29, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  41. ^ "Arjan Bhullar has arm surgery!". AsianMMA. August 30, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  42. ^ Nicolas Atkin (January 6, 2023). "ONE Championship: Anatoly Malykhin challenging Arjan Bhullar for heavyweight title in Fight Night 8 main event, source says". South China Morning Post. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  43. ^ "ONE Fight Night 8 gets new main event, Bhullar vs. Malykhin rescheduled". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  44. ^ Martin, Damon (April 10, 2023). "Arjan Bhullar vs. Anatoly Malykhin in ONE heavyweight title unification bout rescheduled for July 14". MMA Fighting. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  45. ^ Frazer, Ben (May 19, 2023). "Arjan Bhullar vs. Anatoly Malykhin Heavyweight world title unification match rescheduled for ONE Friday Fights 22". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  46. ^ Anderson, Jay (June 23, 2023). "Anatoly Malykhin Overwhelms Arjan Bhullar to Unify Heavyweight Title at ONE Friday Fights 22". Cageside Press. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  47. ^ Goyder, James (December 18, 2023). "ONE Championship: Brooks and Pacio rematch set for ONE 166 event in Qatar, Aliakbari misses out on title shot". South China Morning Post. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  48. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (March 1, 2024). "ONE 166 results, video: Arjan Bhullar disqualified for timidity, champ Jarred Brooks loses belt after illegal slam". MMA Fighting. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  49. ^ "Sikh UFC fighter Arjan Bhullar will wear a turban at this weekend's UFC event". bbc.co.uk. April 13, 2018.
  50. ^ Lynch, James; Sapp, Sean Ross (April 4, 2018). "Exclusive: UFC's Arjan Bhullar Talks Friendship With Jinder Mahal, Possible Move To WWE, Upcoming Fight | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  51. ^ Sherdog.com. "Arjan Singh Bhullar MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
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