Arjan Bhullar: Pro Wrestlers Are ‘Running Scared’

Scenes from the ONE Heavyweight World Title fight between Arjan Bhullar and Brandon Vera at ONE: DANGAL on 15 May

Arjan “Singh” Bhullar’s fascination with the world of professional wrestling is no secret.

The ONE Heavyweight World Champion has been busy strutting his stuff like Hulk Hogan and calling out WWE and AEW stars in hopes of making a foray into the world of scripted sports entertainment. But so far, potential rivals are not jumping at his offer.

“Singh” — who is also an Olympian and Commonwealth Games Wrestling Gold Medalist — would bring legitimate heat to his matches, and he believes that is why nobody has stepped up to the plate.

“I feel like the pro wrestling industry is ducking me. Absolutely. These guys are running scared,” Bhullar states.

“I cut that promo, everyone got excited, and they know what we’re bringing into the squared circle. It’s real. It’s a fandom that is deeply loyal, and we’re out there to prove what the ONE World Title is all about and MMA is all about.”

Still, “Singh” is determined to keep pushing the issue. As a lifelong pro wrestling fan, he’s eager to show that he can hang with the top dogs in the game, just like he does in his day job as a mixed martial arts superstar.  



While the wrestlers might not be too quick to jump in the ring with Bhullar, he knows the bigwigs of the industry can recognize a superstar when they see one.

Be that Vince McMahon and the WWE, be that Tony Khan and the AEW, the whole roster was put on notice, and they are still on notice,” the Indian athlete says.

But I’ll give them credit. Vince and Tony are at the table. They are having discussions with us, but we’re going to make sure we get a winning deal here and we’re able to express ourselves to the fullest of our talent within that squared circle. That’s what really gets me excited.”

Fans of India’s first Mixed Martial Arts World Champion might worry that his focus is shifting away from the colossal task of defending his gold against elite contenders on the global stage, but Bhullar does not see it that way.

Scenes from the ONE Heavyweight World Title fight between Arjan Bhullar and Brandon Vera at ONE: DANGAL on 15 May

The heavyweight king believes that professional wrestling has played an integral part in building his career to this point – a truly global star who’s beloved by fans around the world, particularly in his cultural homeland of India.

“[Professional wrestling has helped by] just representing who I am, being real, my brand, and what I’m about,” Bhullar says.

“Growing up, Bret Hart was a big influence. His story and his connection with his father. The Hart Foundation was the first clique out there before anybody else.  

So, it had a real influence on me in terms of my life, coming over with Bhullar Wrestling, my connection with my family, my lineage, and just being real.”

However, pro wrestling wouldn’t just be about Bhullar’s image. 

There are practical elements of the game that would not only be beneficial inside the wrestling ring, but also during his ONE Heavyweight World Title defenses.

“Even now, technique-wise, pro wrestling is rooted in catch wrestling. If you look at guys like Josh Barnett, catch wrestling is right up his alley. That’s what he’s about in the world of MMA,” the Indian says.

So, I have studied that as well and techniques of that. I’m excited to apply that within the squared circle and even in the ONE cage as we move forward.”

Read more: Bhullar Slams De Ridder’s Callout: If Anything, I’ll Take Your Belt

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