When you look outside the UFC, Arjan Bhullar is one of the biggest names in the global mixed martial arts scene. The Indo-Canadian wrestler, who is the reigning Heavyweight World Champion at ONE Championships, had been a part of the UFC in the past, before settling down in the Singapore-based promotion. However, Bhullar is one of many fighters whom fans want to be a part of MMA’s top drawer promotion, and interestingly, as Bhullar details it, his return to the UFC was under discussion as a trade for Henry Cejudo.
I thought Henry would be phenomenal for ONE: Arjan Bhullar reveals trade discussions back to the UFC
Arjan Bhullar joined the UFC in May 2017 and four months later, made his debut in the Octagon against Luis Henrique at UFC 251 on 9th September, winning the fight via unanimous decision.
Bhullar remained in the UFC for three more fights, racking up two more wins and one loss and with a 3-1 record in the Octagon, he parted ways with the UFC to join ONE Championships in July 2019. After winning his promotional debut against Mauro Cerilli at ONE: Century Part 2 in October 2019, Bhullar returned with a victory over Brandon Vera at ONE: Dangal on 28th April last year to become the new ONE Heavyweight champion.
Now, after making an announcement on The MMA Hour about his new multi-fight contract with the promotion, Bhullar revealed that there were talks about swapping him with former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo, while he was on the sidelines due to contract issues.
“There was also another opportunity that came toward us through all this and that was Henry Cejudo wanting to come to ONE on a trade. He couldn’t get his stuff worked out on his end and that went high up in the UFC and that was being explored. It was brought to me [wondering] hey what do you think? That’s something I leaned on D.C. (Daniel Cormier) for,” said Bhullar.
“I liked what he said and he was giving me some good food for thought,” the 35-year-old went on. “Then I got to thinking; this would be a huge thing. Because I know Chatri [Sityodtong] and I know ONE, and I know Dana [White] and the UFC, I feel. Askren wasn’t a good representation of how ONE athletes can compete. He was two years retired, bad hip, but you make that deal because you’re getting D.J., a G.O.A.T., and you make that happen.”
“They’ll never co-promote with anybody, I do feel that. If they co-promote with ONE, that would be phenomenal. We just signed that Amazon deal, we’re in the U.S., we’re in Canada, big-time deal, groundbreaking breaking news today. We’re gonna have a U.S. event so we’re making moves coming this way and if that ever happens; awesome. But like I said, when this was presented, this was the thought process and the pattern. I thought Henry would be phenomenal for ONE in terms of ‘Mighty Mouse,’ Adriano Moraes, John Lineker,” added Bhullar. [H/T MMAMania.com]
What are your thoughts on the almost done Arjan Bhullar-Henry Cejudo swap? Let us know in the comments.
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