Bhullar an ambassador for UFC
Olympian embraces role as first fighter of Indian heritage in company
When the UFC signed its first fighter of Indian descent, the company probably couldn’t have asked for a better ambassador than Arjan Bhullar.
The Vancouver-based fighter represented Canada at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and proudly flies the Canadian flag, but he’s also a loud and proud Sikh and isn’t shying away from trying to be a role model for others.
“I grew up idolizing Muhammad Ali, and my mom really pushed that,” Bhullar said this weekend while he was backstage at UFC 220 in Boston.
“She’d say ‘You’re going to be great, but make sure you do something with that platform and don’t forget where you came from.’
“It’s something I’ve embraced over the years.”
Bhullar made headlines in the lead-up to his UFC debut against Luis Henrique last year when the company wouldn’t allow him to wear a turban for his walk to the octagon because it violated the apparel agreement the UFC has with Reebok.
That’s all behind him now and it looks increasingly likely that Bhullar will be able to wear his turban before his next fight, which is scheduled for April 14.
That wasn’t the day he hoped for, as Bhullar actively lobbied to fight on the March 17 UFC card in London, U.K., where there is a massive Indian and Sikh population.
But April 14 isn’t bad, especially as it falls on Vaisakhi, the start of the New Year in the Sikh calendar and one of the biggest celebrations of the year. Bhullar would love nothing more than to add to that celebration by earning his second UFC win and improve his professional MMA record to 8-0.
From there, Bhullar sees endless possibilities and believes he could be the key that unlocks the Indian market — a country of more than one billion potential fans — for the UFC.
“Sport is used to bring people together and every major sport has been trying to connect with the Indian diaspora and the Indian market,” Bhullar said. “Now, the UFC’s got the jump on everyone and it’s the easiest sport to understand. You don’t have to educate people about a fight.”
In Canada, Bhullar also sees himself as part of a wave of prominent Sikh-Canadians who have brought a new level of exposure to their community.
The most recognizable of those Sikh-Canadians is federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who Bhullar says he has a lot more in common with than just their religion and roots.
“I connect with him on a personal level and as an athlete,” Bhullar said. “He’s an MMA guy, he trains MMA and he was the captain of his wrestling team in high school. We were actually going to do a little video, and that might still happen, but I connect with him on a personal level for sure.”
Diaz back
That sound you heard on Wednesday morning? It might have been MMA fans around the world all simultaneously screaming out in delight.
Seemingly out of nowhere, superstar Nate Diaz popped up on Instagram and hinted he might be returning to the octagon soon.
Diaz hasn’t fought since August of 2016 when he lost a close decision to Conor McGregor and showed no real inclination toward fighting again unless it was to complete his trilogy with the Irish star.
Apparently, his hiatus from the fight game is going to be over soon.
“Sick of sitting around waiting for you f---ers to do s--- there’s no excitement in this fight s---,” Diaz wrote on Instagram in typical Diaz fashion. “Step your game up I’ll see u around May, June. Sincerely The Real Champ.”
There’s no question a Diaz comeback would be good business for the UFC. He has long been a hero to hardcore fight fans and gained real mainstream exposure through his two fights with McGregor.
Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take long for other UFC lightweights to call Diaz out, as both former 155-pound champion Eddie Alvarez and contender Kevin Lee both threw their names in the ring on Wednesday.
Whoever Diaz ends up fighting, it’s likely going to lead to a big payday for everyone involved.
Around the octagon
As Postmedia reported last week, Calgary’s Hakeem Dawodu will be fighting Scotland’s Danny Henry at the UFC’s March 17 stop in England. Dawodu’s a stud and this one will definitely be worth watching for Canadian fight fans eager to get a glimpse of the future ... Tony Ferguson went on the MMA Hour podcast with Ariel Helwani and admitted he was angry with the UFC for not providing more clarity as to whether McGregor has been stripped of the lightweight title. Given that Ferguson holds the interim belt — or maybe the unified belt, who knows? — and doesn’t understand what’s going on, maybe the reporters who repeatedly pressed UFC president Dana White for an answer at a press conference in Boston last week didn’t deserve to get booed by the crowd ... It sounds as if a fight between Gunnar Nelson and Darren Till may headline the UFC London card, and yes, this needs to happen.