Iranian Hulk has slammed his rival Martyn Ford for his "cheap move" after he was sent flying backwards during a heated altercation in Dubai.
Hulk - real name Sajad Gharibi - met his bitter rival Ford for the first time in the Middle East as the pair prepare to meet in the boxing ring on April 30. The pair clashed during their first face-to-face meeting with Ford sending his rival crashing across the room after tensions spilled over.
Gharibi has claimed he lost respect for the British star after their antics at the face-off, but is ready for "war" at any point. "I want to clear up what happened when we came face-to-face," Gharibi said at a press conference. "My only intention was to just get close to my opponent. But a very cheap and unexpected reaction took place. What does that show?
"It’s not very gentleman like, I have been here for ten days and I have been away from training and a lot of things that will help me. And during that meeting I wasn’t even ready, I wasn’t even warmed up yet. He replied by showing how scared he was but I guarantee on fight night wait for my reaction.
"I wasn’t even wearing my sports trainers, I came in with relaxed clothing on. I am ready right now for any war to take place. I respect all bodybuilders but after what happened yesterday how can I respect him? Going forward I am going to show and broadcast myself so people can see what I am made of."
The Iranian star has shown his animosity towards Ford since their rivalry began during Ford's time at Polish MMA promotion KSW. He recently showed up at his rival's hotel in another bid for confrontation before the fight which was left on deaf ears.
What did you make of the face-off clash between Iranian Hulk and Martyn Ford? Let us know in the comments section below
Gharibi tried to spark another brawl at the press conference just a day later where he was seen throwing popcorn and making an advance towards his rival, only to be stopped by security. With fans questioning whether the tensions are "staged", Gharibi has quickly moved to emphasise the authenticity of the pair's recent clashes.
"I can't show DM's but there was lots of obscenities after that face-to-face," he said on Iranian TV. "And some of them said that me and Martyn are friends but you will figure it out after a while.
"Martyn is thirsty for my blood. He said that I wanted to kill him. If he was my friend he wouldn't of pushed me like this. It proves everything is clear and transparent there is no friendship."
