Internet star Hasbulla landed a 'punch' on Belal Muhammad as the pair met in Abu Dhabi ahead of the UFC contender's upcoming fight.
The 19-year-old, who has growth hormone deficiency (GHD), rose to fame after taking part a mock press conference with his bitter rival Abdu Rozik, who also has a similar genetic condition. Videos of Hasbulla have amassed over five-billion views on TikTok as the Russian has become a celebrity for his pranks and stunts which have amused fans around the world. He is also a big MMA fan, having close relationships with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov and his protege Islam Makhachev.
Hasbulla and Muhammad bumped into each other in Dubai as the American prepares for his fight with Sean Brady at UFC 280 later this month, with Hasbulla expected to attend the event in support of Makhachev. Muhammad posed for a picture with Hasbulla and like the internet star has done to several other past and present UFC fighters, he punched him on the chin as Muhammad pretended to be hurt from the blow.
Hasbulla signed a lucrative five-year deal with the UFC last month in which he will serve as a brand representative for the promotion, making appearances at live events such as UFC 280. The internet star was backed to settle his rivalry with Rozik in the cage, but UFC boss Dana White said Hasbulla's "super protective" father was against the idea of him fighting.
The Russian has recently been going back and forth with former two-weight champion Conor McGregor and has challenged the Irishman to meet him at the upcoming pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi. McGregor has labelled Hasbulla a "little smelly inbred" and welcomed a sparring match against him in big gloves, as the internet star pleaded with White to let him fight McGregor.
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"I have my UFC contract now, if Conor McGregor is really a man… see me in Abu Dhabi," Hasbulla wrote before adding: "Uncle Dana White and UFC please make it happen, let me eat this chicken McGregor. I'm hungry, I’ll smash him with my mountain spirit. My brother Khabib smashed him and all his team, now is my time to rise!
