When ONE on Prime Video 5 main event athletes Reinier De Ridder and Anatoly Malykhin took to the dais at the pre-fight press conference, they made sure to take a couple jabs at ONE Heavyweight World Champion Arjan Bhullar. Bhullar captured the ONE Championship heavyweight strap in 2021 but has not graced the Circle since. Needless to say, it has bothered both men who have been eyeing the heavyweight gold in his absence.
“Forget Bhullar. He is just weak and did not accept my fight. It shows a lot from him. I respect Reinier a lot. We are gonna make history. It is going to be like ‘Thrilla In Manila II,” said the ONE Interim Heavyweight World Champion.
Words Rumble Ahead of ONE on Prime Video 5
De Ridder was also dismissive of Bhullar, but he added a little more to his upcoming ONE Light Heavyweight World Title defense against Malykhin. He views it as the real heavyweight title tilt. “The Dutch Knight” has claimed the company’s middleweight and light heavyweight crowns and has repeatedly called for a shot at the heavyweight title. Although Friday night’s main event is not for Malykhin’s interim crown, De Ridder will take a victory as if he has won it.
“For me, this is the fight for the heavyweight belt. It’s the two top guys in ONE Championship going at each other. The guy who’s wearing the real strap now [Bhullar], we haven’t seen him for a long time, so I think this is our moment,” said De Ridder.
But Bhullar has not been quiet about the matchup between his two prospective rivals either. In an interview with ONE, Bhullar degraded both men and their skills. Declaring that he is clear for a return, Bhullar is open to facing either man or another heavyweight who wants a shot at his title. And he also has eyes on the light heavyweight strap.
“I think they’re both trash, and I can’t wait to fight both of them. That’s where I’m at. And they have undefeated records because neither has fought me. Ideally, RDR gets it done, so I could get Malykhin [at heavyweight] and have RDR at 225 pounds [light heavyweight]. But either way, I could care less. I want both of them,” said Bhullar.
Bhullar will get a better idea of who could be next for him inside the Circle at ONE on Prime Video 5. The five-round title tilt will give the victor a strong claim that they should get what they want, a date with Bhullar. And it sure seems like the Canadian-Indian heavyweight will be ready and willing to sign on the dotted line.
December 2 | ONE on Prime Video 5: De Ridder vs. Malykhin | 8 p.m. EST | 5 p.m. PST
Fans in the U.S. and Canada can watch for free with an Amazon Prime subscription!
