Arjan Bhullar will make history tonight when he returns to the octagon to fight Poland’s Adam Wieczorek as part of UFC Fight Night in Glendale, Arizona.
The 31-year-old from Richmond has been given permission to be the first-ever UFC fighter to wear a turban upon his entrance to the cage.
Even though he typically doesn’t wear a turban, Bhullar is always proud of his Sikh heritage. He was prevented from wearing it for his UFC debut last September due to UFC’s endorsement deal with Reebok on all fighters’ apparel.
After a highly successful freestyle wresting career that was highlighted by a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, as well as representing Canada at the Summer Olympic Games two years later, Bhullar transitioned over to mix martial arts and now has an overall record of 7-0-0. He became the first fighter of South Asian descent to sign with the UFC last spring and then defeated Brazil’s Luis Henrique at UFC 215 in Edmonton.
“It was amazing. That was always the goal when I made the switch. That first walk out was going to be special and that time when you put the title around your waist is the second one that will be special,” recalled Bhullar.
He was named the News’ 2017 Athlete of the Year back in February.
