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Writer's pictureJohn Warren Alarcon

SINGH IS THE NEW KING: Bhullar dominates Vera to become maiden Indian champion


Art by Vince Julius Balaga



Arjan “Singh” Bhullar dethroned Filipino Brandon “The Truth” Vera with a Technical Knockout victory to become the first Indian Mixed Martial Arts World champion in their ONE World Heavyweight Championship match at Singapore last May 15.


“India! We got one now. We now have a world champion!” Bhullar exclaimed after the hard-fought match.


The 35-year-old challenger stamped his class as he exhibited a flurry of overhands and hooks and finished the game having back control over Vera while delivering shots to the head that forced referee Justin Brown to stop the fight with 33 seconds left in the second round.


Bhullar improved to an 11-1 professional record and pushed his win streak to four matches while Vera has now suffered back-to-back losses resulting to a 16-9 slate.


Using the kushti style – an Indian form of wrestling – Bhullar displayed patience with his counters from Vera’s leg kicks as he connected a vicious right overhand strike followed up by a left straight combination in the 3:54 mark of the second round that shook his rival.


A burst of continuous overhand blows and a clear body shot boosted Bhullar’s aggression leading to a takedown with two minutes remaining in the round which put him in back control over Vera to finally finish the fight in a TKO fashion.


“Box him up, get in that range, wrestle him, pressure him, break him. Just patience, I knew I was gonna hurt him, I did not believe he had five rounds against me,” Bhullar explained after the match when asked about his strategy.


Six-foot-one Bhullar came off a Unanimous Decision win over the Italian Hammer Mauro Cerilli in ONE Championship - Century Part 2 that earned him the right to face Vera and bring glory to his hometown India.


On the other hand, Vera looked to bounce back from another TKO defeat against the “Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang but did not look like his championship self in the octagon.


“I didn’t perform the way I should have. First time in my career I felt gassed after the first round. I’m annoyed and disappointed to myself,” the 43-year-old Vera stated expressing frustration from the fight’s result.


The Filipino pride Vera started out aggressive in the first round with inside leg kicks but Bhullar quickly adjusted taking the fight to the ground and using overhand rights in half guard.


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