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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Martin Domin

Huge 390lb Iranian Hulk was called out by tiny 145lb UFC featherweight star

The Iranian Hulk was once called out by UFC star Brian Ortega - despite a 250lb weight difference.

The Hulk - real name Sajjad Gharibi - will take on heavyweight rival Martyn Ford at The O2 in London on April 2.

The bout will settle a long-running feud which had been due to be fought out in the MMA cage.

Gharibi has attracted attention in recent years due to the photos he has posted of his huge frame.

He is believed to weigh 390lb, which would disqualify him from the UFC as the heavyweight limit is 266lb.

He certainly would have towered over Ortega had the pair ever come together after the American called out Gharibi in 2019.

Ortega, who went on to challenge for the featherweight titles, weighs a tiny 145lb compared to Gharibi.

But he believed his superior cardio would see him tire out the Iranian if they ever fought.

"I would just gas him out, p*** him off," Ortega told TMZ. "Of course, you're going to see me just get mauled up like a damn little chihuahua in the beginning.

"But just when I ride that wave out, it's a done deal man. He'll gas out and he'll be mine."

Gharibi and Ford, who is also known as the World's Scariest Man, came face to face in Dubai last weekend as they met for the first time.

The Iranian attempted to take down his taller opponent but was easily shrugged off in an ominous sign of what may await him in the ring.

Will Iranian Hulk beat Martyn Ford? Make your prediction in the comments section below

Ford then pushed his rival over as tempers flared on the roof of an MMA gym.

Gharibi later apologised for his actions in a video posted to social media, saying: "I came here with my own money and capital without any financial support and without a coach. As you can see in the video, he publicly shocked me and I lost my balance.

"I apologise to all the people of Iran for this, but know that this is not the end of the story, and I will say the main thing in the competition, I promise.

"The Iranian team was told before the conference that they only face each other, and that you have no right to hit your opponent."

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