Social media star Hasbulla has revealed he has signed a deal to fight in the UFC.
The three-foot-tall TikTok sensation, who has a form of dwarfism, is believed to be 19 years old and has long been rumoured to be preparing to make his cage debut. Hasbulla has had a long-running rivalry with Abdu Rozik but a fight has so far failed to materialise.
Hasbulla was recently believed to have signed a five-year deal with the UFC which would see him work with the company's media relations department. But he has now taken to social media to claim he will in fact be fighting. "The rumours are true," he said. "I have officially signed a deal to fight in the UFC! Details will be revealed by the end of the year. Thank you to my team for making this dream a reality."
The Russian star, who has growth hormone deficiency (GHD), shot to fame after hosting a mock press conference with his long-term rival Rozik who has a similar genetic condition. His popularity has seen him thrust into the limelight, which is also down to his close friendship with retired star Khabib Nurmagomedov and protege Islam Makhachev.
Hasbulla has been a regular guest at UFC events and is expected to be in attendance at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi next weekend. He could even be in the corner for Islam Makhachev's lightweight world title fight against Charles Oliviera.
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Hasbulla has also been involved in an online spat with UFC legend Conor McGregor, demanding the Irishman flies to the Middle East for a confrontation. "I don’t follow bums… didn’t know someone was running their mouth, @ me next time," Hasbulla wrote. "I have my UFC contract now, if Conor McGregor is really a man… see me in Abu Dhabi. Got smashed by Khabib already. Guess his money from [Floyd] Mayweather ran out and he needs more attention."
McGregor responded to Hasbulla's challenge by posting a picture of a children's toy with his face photoshopped on it with the caption: "Now what you saying you little g***." He went on to offer his 'rival' a sparring match, to which Hasbulla replied: "This is what I’ve been waiting for, as usual it’s deleted. Conor McGregor, just @ me and leave the tweet up."
