Arjan Bhullar thrilled to be part of ONE 166 in Qatar

13 January 2024

In a groundbreaking move, ONE Championship is all set for its historic on-ground debut in Qatar with the thrilling event, ONE 166: Qatar, taking place at the state-of-the-art Lusail Sports Arena on Friday, March 1. Former heavyweight MMA kingpin Arjan “Singh” Bhullar is poised to make his return to the ONE cage, facing off against his fierce rival, Iranian powerhouse Amir Aliakbari, in a pivotal contest.

"This is the perfect setting for my comeback. Losing the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title was a setback, but Qatar presents an opportunity to regain my momentum. I'm pumped to be part of ONE's historic debut in the Middle East," says Bhullar, reflecting on the significance of the event.

Bhullar expressed his enthusiasm for ONE Championship's return to the Middle East, stating that Qatar, with its burgeoning sports industry and the recent hosting of the FIFA World Cup, is poised for greatness. "Qatar can be massive. We have seen what the Saudis have done with the Saudi season and having lots of sports there. I think Qatar is the next logical step. I hope there are many more events and many opportunities for athletes to fight on their cards."

On a personal note, Bhullar is thrilled to be one of the first athletes to compete in Qatar and explore the country. "I’m very, very excited. Qatar’s an amazing place. Of course, they have [organized] the FIFA World Cup, and they’ve got a huge Indian community there and following, so it makes a lot of sense to come back on this card."

"Proud to be representing India on this stage. Life’s a journey. It’s a life experience to go out there and be in Qatar. I don’t know if I will ever go back again in my life, so I’m going to enjoy that. But everything is much better when you win. I’m so excited to be there, meet the people out there and the fans, and I’m also excited to win," adds Bhullar, emphasizing the unique experience this event offers him.

Proud of his heritage, Bhullar anticipates being welcomed like a hometown hero, given the sizable Indian community in Qatar. "There’s a huge community and population of Indians in Qatar. I’m very, very excited to meet with them. It’s going to be a huge motivation. It’s going to feel like a home arena, a home event."

Despite the hard-hitting reputation of his opponent, Aliakbari, Bhullar remains unfazed, confident that the support of his people will provide the necessary motivation. "We’ve got the Iranian coming in, and he thinks he’s going to do what he’s going to do. But with the support of my people, I will feel that energy, and I hope they come to enjoy the event and enjoy the ONE show."

"Singh" Bhullar's return to the ONE cage at ONE 166: Qatar promises to be a historic event, combining world-class MMA action with the vibrant energy of a new fan base, marking a significant step forward for ONE Championship's global expansion.

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