Indian wrestlers suited for Mixed Martial Arts, says UFC’s Arjan Singh Bhullar

Arjan Singh Bhullar smashed a glass ceiling in May 2017 when he signed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), making him the first-ever Indian-origin fighter to do so and, according to the Canadian national, the floodgates to UFC glory are now wide open for the Indians.

Bhullar is a former wrestler who won gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and represented Canada at the 2012 London Summer Olympics but the 31-year-old considers Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as his true passion.

“UFC is the fastest growing sport in the world and is dominated by wrestlers. We all know there is a huge history of wrestling in India so I foresee many Indians coming through because we are successful at wrestling and boxing and those are great bases to have. All you have to do is to mix the two together because the potential is here,” said Bhullar.

“There are going to be over 100 UFC gyms in the next 10 years according to an agreement signed recently, so the foundation is being laid,” he added.

Bhullar has a degree in political science and is a university-level wrestling coach in Canada. He emerged victorious on his UFC debut against 24-year-old Brazilian Luis Henrique in September 2017 and says there is no politics in the UFC unlike other team sports across the world.

Talking about Jon Jones, the three time light-heavyweight champion of the UFC, who failed a drug test ahead of his UFC 214 grudge match against Daniel Cormier in August, Bhullar said he would never make such a mistake as he is an old-school family guy and that would always keep him in line.

“If, say, I was in Jon Jones’ place I wouldn’t make those mistakes because I have got a family I live with, so if any time I get out of line they would give me a whack,” stated Bhullar.

“I am not doing this for the fame and riches. Anyhow, I have a great support network and many other options in my life. The only reason I am in this is because I want to be a UFC champion,” he concluded.