After all the trash talk this week leading to the big battle Friday night in Bangkok for the ONE unified championship fight, reigning ONE heavyweight world champion Arjan Bhullar will defend his title against the reigning ONE light heavyweight and interim heavyweight world champion Anatoly Malykhin, who’s saying he’s gonna end the fight in the first round. Bhullar, who hopes to beat the mouthy opponent for the undisputed ONE heavyweight world title at ONE Friday Fights 22 at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, just laughed at Malykhin but knows he is in for a tough fight.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

BANGKOK – After all the trash talk this week leading to the big battle Friday night in Bangkok for the ONE unified championship fight, reigning ONE heavyweight world champion Arjan Bhullar will defend his title against the reigning ONE light heavyweight and interim heavyweight world champion Anatoly Malykhin, who’s saying he’s gonna end the fight in the first round.

Bhullar, who hopes to beat the mouthy opponent for the undisputed ONE heavyweight world title at ONE Friday Fights 22 at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, just laughed at Malykhin but knows he is in for a tough fight.

Malykhin told South China Morning Post that he can easily put on a five-rounder, but he’d rather finish Bhullar in the very first round.

 “I’m ready to stand for all five rounds. But I will be looking for chances of knockout every single second. I will try to finish this fight in the first round,” Malykhin said.

Bhullar became the ONE heavyweight world champion when he knocked out inaugural world champion Brandon Vera in May 2021 for the strap.

The Indo-Canadian MMA star, however, has yet to defend his gold following injuries. In his absence, Malykhin emerged as the interim world champion when he bludgeoned Kirill Grishenko in February 2022.

Malykhin even collected a second world title after he became the interim heavyweight world champion. The Russian knockout machine achieved double-champ status when he knocked out Reinier de Ridder for the ONE light heavyweight world title in December 2022 at ONE on Prime Video 5.

A unification bout was set for these two behemoths but it suffered a couple of cancellations due to injuries and broadcasting commitments.

Bhullar is the first Indian-origin fighter – in UFC and then to win an MMA championship belt with ONE Championship. And he wants this descriptor to take centre stage: The first Indian-origin fighter.

The 37-year-old Canada-born wrestler-turned-mixed martial artist wants his Indian roots and culture to be highlighted via him. He wants to break the perceptions about his community and inspire more Indians to take up this sport they have little representation in. It’s what prompted him to fight the rules to wear a turban for his entrance at a UFC fight. It’s what prompted his move from UFC to the ONE Championship.

Bhullar takes this role very seriously, and he knows the importance of symbols. From his turban to the golden mace – a very Indian symbol – he carries with his World Championship belt. “I was presented this mace by the great Dara Singh at a wrestling dangal, and that was right before his passing.”

BHULLAR TALKS: An Interview with www.republicworld.com

Q. Was it frustrating in between all these halts and deferrals

Absolutely! I was training the entire time. I am an athlete. Athletes only have so much time to maximise their opportunities so it was very frustrating for me. But first, it was just the business side of things taking a long time, then when I finally got in there , I had an injury and my first surgery ever of my life. But the only thing I could control was my training and I continued to train throughout, the best I could. 

Q. What do you make of the fight against Anatoly Malykhin?

Two years ago, it was supposed to be me and him. So, for two years he’s been in my head. Although he’s had to go and fight other people, he’s been in my head the entire time. I was just waiting for this opportunity to get my hands on him because he’s been talking, fans have been talking. I need to eventually have a day with him and that day is coming on the 23rd. 

Q. It is touted as the battle between the evens. Do you feel the same? Do you think he is at your level?

You need to respect everybody that enters the cage. You have to respect him, he’s been in there, he’s undefeated, he’s finished everyone, he’s got power, all of those things. So far nobody has been able to expose him, so you have to respect that because I respect him and his skill set. I’ve dedicated myself to multiple training camps over these two years. But there are levels to this, as good as he is he’s not great, I am great! and I am gonna show that I am levels above him. 

Q. Where do you think you have the edge over him?

If you look at him, all his fights, although he has a wrestling background he likes to box, so he has two weapons his left hand and his right hand for me I can do everything, I’ve wrestled, I can box, I’ve been in there with Brandon Vera, who is a great kickboxer and he wasn’t able to do anything to me. I beat him in striking in his area. So, there are more layers to my game. And like I said there’s a difference between good and great and I going to show that.

Q. Will you go for the striking or resort to ground moves in the fight?

We will see how the fight plays out. I am confident that both areas. I have multiple ways to win, I am the more well-rounded fighter and I think that’s going to be big-big difference here.

Q. Whether the undefeated streak of Anatoly Malykhin any concern for you?

It is exciting for me. Everyone is dangerous who gets in there obviously. His record shows he’s one of those dangerous fighters but it excites me because instead of beating other fighters I may want to beat him and we know the exact goy who took his zero away and he made it personal so I want to shut that mouth.   

* Catch the fight live. Indian MMA enthusiasts can watch Arjan Bhullar vs Anatoly Malykhin  live exclusive on Star Sports Network. The live streaming of the fight can be accessed on Disney+ Hotstar on 23rd June 2023