Shara Bullet has detailed the severe health ordeal he endured before and after his fight against Bario, revealing he contracted dengue fever during a training camp in Thailand after being bitten by a mosquito. He spent roughly two weeks bedridden with a 40-degree fever, skin sores, and hair loss, then flew to Abu Dhabi and competed despite being severely weakened. After winning the bout, Bullet underwent emergency surgery and went without sleep for two days, spending weeks struggling to breathe before fully recovering.
Shara "Bullet" Pukallus has opened up about a harrowing series of health crises that surrounded his fight against Bario, revealing he competed while battling the effects of dengue fever and then underwent emergency surgery in the immediate aftermath of the bout.
Pukallus contracted dengue fever during a training camp in Thailand after being bitten by a mosquito. The illness left him bedridden for roughly two weeks, during which he endured a fever reaching 40 degrees Celsius, skin sores, and significant hair loss. Despite being severely weakened by the time camp concluded, he flew to Abu Dhabi and stepped into the cage regardless.
After securing the victory over Bario, the health ordeal was far from over. Pukallus required emergency surgery following the fight and went without sleep for two consecutive days. He then spent weeks struggling to breathe before eventually making a full recovery.
Why it matters
- The disclosure reframes the Bario performance, placing it in the context of one of the more remarkable physical ordeals a fighter has publicly described surrounding a bout.
- Competing through a serious mosquito-borne illness that causes severe fatigue, bleeding risk, and immune suppression represents a significant health gamble, raising questions about fighter welfare protocols during international training camps.
- The post-fight surgery adds another layer to the story, suggesting Pukallus was managing an additional undisclosed medical condition either leading into or exacerbated by the fight itself.
The fighter has now detailed the full timeline publicly, painting a picture of a competitor who refused to withdraw from the contest despite facing conditions that would sideline most athletes entirely. His recovery appears complete, though the account serves as a stark illustration of the physical sacrifices fighters sometimes absorb far beyond what is visible inside the cage.
