Arjan Bhullar has finally come to terms on a new contract with ONE Championship after months of failed negotiations. It means the heavyweight champion will be back to defend his belt against the winner of Friday’s interim title fight.
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong confirmed the news to SCMP,
“CAA and ONE came to an agreement just a few days ago, It’s been back and forth but I think we’re now at a place where everyone is happy, so I think we’re gonna move forward with Arjan’s contract,” he said.
Unification bout
Kirill Grishenko and Anatoly Malykhin go head to head for the interim belt at ONE: ‘Bad Blood’ on Friday. Bhullar will fit the winner and Chatri hinted that the unification bout could come together quickly,
“It depends on this interim world title fight, it depends on injuries. If it’s a quick fight and nobody is injured, it could happen very quickly.”
In terms of Friday’s fight the ONE Championship CEO thinks it is going to come down to who has the better striking,
“Kirill is much taller and bigger than Anatoly. His striking is not as good in my opinion but he’s very durable and very long. Anatoly is more explosive, more athletic. I just don’t see this fight going to the ground, they’re both world class wrestlers.”