Arjan Bhullar wants to crack long-targeted India market for the UFC

EDMONTON – UFC heavyweight and Olympian Arjan Bhullar is the first Indo-Canadian fighter on the promotion’s roster, and he now the first fighter of Indian descent to find success in the octagon.

Bhullar (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who represented Canada in the 2012 Olympics, gutted it out against Luis Henrique (10-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC) to take home a unanimous decision. The 31-year-old Sikh said his “blood burns hot” and already has his sights set on becoming the UFC’s first Indian champ.

“There’s over 1 billion in India – there’s over 3 billion around the world,” Bhullar said backstage after his UFC Fight Pass-streamed win at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. “But obviously, China and India reign supreme when it comes to markets, not only for the UFC, but any major sport is trying to crack the market.

“NHL can’t do it – there’s no ice. NFL can’t do it because the equipment won’t make sense for those kids, and the game, they don’t understand. NBA has a chance, but they have no athletes. This is the one the people will understand. It’s a hybrid of wrestling. I want to crack that market for them and be the first, for sure, because the people want it.”

Bhullar hoped to merge two worlds for his debut before fate intervened. WWE champ Jinder Mahal, also an Indo-Canadian, was to accompany him to the octagon before Hurricane Irma grounded him in Florida.

The UFC was supposed to debut “The Ultimate Fighter: India” in 2013, but the season never came to fruition. Still, the promotion has identified the country as one of the most promising markets for the future. Now, there’s a new face to promote when they make that move.

To hear more from Bhullar, check out the video above.

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