Islam Makhachev will have social media star Hasbulla in his corner for his world title fight with Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.
Makhachev is a favourite to beat Oliveira and take home the vacant lightweight belt, particularly given that he has essentially a home advantage in Abu Dhabi where he is a hugely popular fighter. And he will have a star-studded corner which will also feature former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Teenage influencer Hasbulla has shot to fame over the past few years after going viral across social media platforms for his feud with fellow star Abdu Rozik. The pair are both dwarves and held a press conference for a fight which never took place, which had audiences in stitches as they traded verbal barbs, and occasionally got physical.
Now, Hasbulla is one of the most recognisable faces on the internet, and has signed a deal to be a brand ambassador for the UFC. He has set foot in the octagon in the past when he was brought in to celebrate Makhachev's last win in Abu Dhabi against Dan Hooker. And asked by a fan on Twitter if he would be cornering for this one, Abdelaziz responded "yes".
Makhachev will, however, have to be taking this bout very seriously if he plans to get through Oliveira and take home the belt. The Brazilian is, for all intents and purposes, the champion at lightweight after being stripped ahead of his last defence against Justin Gaethje for missing weight by half-a-pound.
Oliveira is far and away the toughest opponent Makhachev will have faced in his 23-fight career, dispatching of Gaethje, Poirier and Michael Chandler in his most recent world title outings. The Russian is believed to be favoured for the bout, but has yet to take on competition at the top level in lightweight, earning his shot at the belt by beating late replacement Bobby Green.
Do you think it's wise for Islam Makhachev to have Hasbulla in his corner for such a big fight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Hasbulla has been engaged in a recent war of words with former lightweight champion Conor McGregor, begging Dana White to allow him to fight the Irishman. McGregor was the 155lb champion in 2016, and was stripped due to inactivity while he went over to boxing which allowed Nurmagomedov to win the belt in 2018 before unifying that same year.
And he has taken aim at the Dagestani influencer, telling fans he would like to kick Hasbulla, who is 3'4" while McGregor is closer to 5'10". "I’d love to boot that little gimp Hasbulla over a goal post," McGregor tweeted. "How much to get him on the volley? I’m gonna make it my mission to score a three pointer with him one day, hon the GAA [an Irish sport]."
Hasbulla responded by saying: "Hey uncle Dana White and UFC please make it happen, let me eat this chicken Conor McGregor. I'm hungry, I’ll smash him with my mountain spirit. My brother Khabib [Nurmagomedov] smashed him and all his team, now is my time to rise!"
