ONE CEO says Arjan Bhullar is scared of Anatoly Malykhin

Is 'Singh' Arjan Bhullar scared of 'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin? ONE Championship CEO and Chairman Chatri Sityodtong seem to think so. The two heavyweight kings are overdue for a world title unification clash.

Russia's Anatoly Malykhin is unbeaten in professional MMA and has won the majority of his bouts by way of knockout. He captured both the ONE light heavyweight world title and the ONE interim heavyweight world championship by way of KO.

Watch Malykhin KO Reinier de Ridder to win the ONE light heavyweight world title below:

Arjan Bhullar is the ONE heavyweight world champion who captured the throne in 2021 with a TKO stoppage over Brandon 'The Truth' Vera. Due to contract negotiations and injuries, the Indo-Canadian fighter has, unfortunately, been out of the circle since winning the crown.

ONE Championship CEO and Chairman Chatri Sityodtong does not believe his time away had to do with injuries. Instead, he claims that Bhullar is scared of his top contender, the interim king Anatoly Malykhin.

In the ONE on Prime Video 5 post-fight press-conference, Chatri explained:

"I'm trying to be respectful, but I do believe that Arjan Bhullar is scared. And that's why there are a million excuses. And that's why he's not ready to face Anatoly. I mean, I'd be scared too, when he has better wrestling than me. He hits harder than me. What am I going to do? What's Arjan going to do?"

See the full press conference below:

---

Anatoly Malykhin has claimed Arjan Bhullar's world title is false

Russian MMA superstar Anatoly Malykhin has claimed that the reigning heavyweight king sits upon a false throne.

Arjan Bhullar has yet to defend his world title since winning it in 2021, and Malykhin is getting tired of waiting. In an interview with ONE Championship, Malykhin said:

"[Bhullar] is my little baby chicken who is clinging on to the belt that should be mine. He’s not a real champion. He keeps hiding from strong opponents, tries to choose convenient opponents."

When asked for a response, Arjan Bhullar did not hold back. 'Singh' is ready to throw down in a heavyweight world title unification bout. Speaking to ONE Championship, the heavyweight world titleholder Bhullar explained:

"[The next fight] is going to be either Malykhin – to get his fake title out of there and shut his mouth up – or it’s going to be the winner of Brandon Vera vs. Amir Aliakbari, and I [would] like Amir as well."