Heavyweight Arjan Bhullar is the latest high-profile talent acquisition by ONE Championship.
On Wednesday, a person close to the fighter told MMA Junkie that Bhullar has signed a multi-fight deal with the Asia-based promotio. The person asked for anonymity because the signing has not been made public by ONE.
Bhullar (9-1) posted a picture of himself on Twitter signing a contract but did not specify the organization. He said there were “multiple offers on the table” before he put pen to paper.
Bhullar courted offers from multiple promoters, which also included Bellator, accoding the person close to Bhullar. He fulfilled the final fight on his UFC contract in May with a unanimous decision over Juan Adams at UFC on ESPN+ 9.
ONE Championship has acquired several UFC fighters in recent months, including former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, who was traded to the promotion in exchange for welterweight champ Ben Askren. Former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez and welterweight star Sage Northcutt also joined the ranks.
So far, UFC talent has had mixed success overseas, with Johnson advancing in a flyweight grand prix, while Northcutt and Alvarez suffered knockout losses in their debuts.
Bhullar joins a heavyweight division topped by former UFC star Brandon Vera, who’s defended his belt twice since winning it in 2015.
A decorated wrestler who represented Canada at the 2012 Olympic Games, Bhullar was the first fighter of South Indian origin and Sikh faith to fight in the octagon. He initially was forbidden from wearing a turban to the octagon but later convinced the promotion to ease its apparel policy.
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