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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Bhullar banks on boxing versus Vera's kickboxing

Bhullar banks on boxing versus Vera's kickboxing

Published May 14, 2021 06:57 pm

Arjan Bhullar and Brandon Vera (ONE Championship)

Arjan Bhullar is confident to showcase his boxing prowess to counter Brandon Vera's kickboxing ahead of their world heavyweight title bout in ONE: Dangal at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Saturday, May 15.

Bhullar, who is mostly known for his deep wrestling background, is planning to use both of his strong points to keep Vera at bay.

Bhullar, a Canadian of Indian descent, knows too well how dangerous it would be for him once Vera keeps the range with "very accurate and powerful" kicks since the Filipino-American champion improved his arsenal under the tutelage of coach Henri Hooft in Sanford MMA.

READ: Bhullar a dangerous opponent, says Vera

“For us, our boxing is better. My kickboxing is sharp as well but I just haven’t had the chance to show it - how I deal with that and how I meet someone who does that," said Bhullar, who holds a 10-1 mixed martial arts record. "This would be a good opportunity for that. My clinch work is better than his and I will show that.

"But more than anything, skills aside, I say we are equal all the way around. My insights have separated me from him. I will go further and deeper than he will, and that is where I draw a lot of my confidence from."

READ: Bhullar all set vs Vera

The 34-year-old Bhullar, a former Olympic wrestler and UFC fighter, scored a unanimous decision victory against Cerilli last October 2019 for his promotional debut in ONE: Century II.

Bhullar displayed the versatile fighter in him after testing the waters first in wrestling before landing crisp punches in the latter parts of the match.

READ: Bhullar seeks to become first Indian MMA champion, vows to dethrone Vera

Vera (16-8), 43, for his part last saw action in the same event and lost to rival-turned-training partner Aung La N Sang, a former two-division world champion.

Vera and Bhullar were initially scheduled to fight in May last year at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City but the title bout was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

READ: Vera out to defy age vs Bhullar

Related Tags

Brandon Vera Arjan Bhullar ONE Championship
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