Arjan Bhullar Vs. Anatoly Malykhin Heavyweight World Title Unification Bout Rebooked For ONE Fight Night 8 On March 24

The most anticipated heavyweight mixed martial arts fight in ONE Championship history officially has a new date.

On March 24 at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video, reigning ONE Heavyweight World Champion Arjan Bhullar will make his long-awaited return to the Circle against unbeaten interim heavyweight king Anatoly Malykhin in a World Title unification bout.

Viewers in U.S. primetime will be treated to a grudge match that’s been months in the making, with one superstar ultimately leaving as the undisputed heavyweight king.

Bhullar, a former Olympic wrestler, captured the ONE Heavyweight World Title in May 2021 when he finished longtime divisional ruler Brandon Vera via second-round TKO.

In the process, “Singh” became the first-ever Indian MMA World Champion and improved his professional record to 11-1.

Following that historic victory, a contract dispute kept the hulking grappling specialist on the shelf as the rest of the division moved forward in his absence. 

Then in February 2022 at ONE: BAD BLOOD, Malykhin demolished Kirill Grishenko to capture the ONE Interim Heavyweight World Title, securing his third spectacular knockout in as many promotional appearances.

A World Title unification fight between “Singh” and “Sladkiy” was slated for seven months later at ONE 161, but a Bhullar injury forced his withdrawal and postponed the contest.

Malykhin, though, chose not to sit on the sidelines.

In December 2022 at ONE on Prime Video 5, the Russian bruiser entered the rarefied air of champ-champ status when he knocked out Renier de Ridder to capture the ONE Light Heavyweight World Title in epic fashion.

That victory pushed Malykhin’s overall record to 11-0 with 11 finishes and earned him ONE’s 2022 MMA Athlete of the Year award.

Now, “Sladkiy” is aiming to become an undisputed two-division ONE World Champion when he meets Bhullar at ONE Fight Night 8.

The two colossal athletes are undoubtedly ready to settle the score following months of back-and-forth talk. Malykhin has argued that “Singh” is afraid to face him, while Bhullar has fired back with verbal warfare of his own.

Given the months of waiting and simmering tension, fans can expect drama from bell to bell once the Circle Door closes on March 24.