Topics: Australia, Hasbulla Magomedov, Charles Oliveira, UFC, MMA
Islam Makhachev will have one of the greatest combat athletes of all-time in his corner at UFC 280.
No, not Khabib Nurmagomedov, we're talking about Hasbulla here.
That's right, the social media megastar has confirmed he'll be on hand to give Makhachev all the support and technical advice he needs when he faces off against Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight title.
It's tipped as one of the most intriguing bouts this year with Makhachev perhaps emerging as Oliveira's toughest test to date.
but while usual suspects Javier Mendez and Khabib will be cornering the dangerous Dagestani, it turns out he'll have another familiar face helping him out too.
Asked if Hasbulla will be in Islam's corner at UFC 280, the lightweight challenger's manager Ali Abdelaziz replied: "Yes."
Advert
This cameo appearance comes fresh off the back of the news that Hasbulla had signed with the UFC.
"The rumours are true. I have officially signed a deal to fight in the UFC!" the man himself tweeted.
"Details will be revealed by the end of the year. Thank you to my team for making this dream a reality."
To which Abdelaziz added: "This is a blast from the face! Hasbulla signed a five year contract with UFC! So far in the plan – attending tournaments, media activity. We will not talk about the amounts in detail, but there they are such that many fighters do not get that much. Hasbulla signed 5-year contract with UFC! No fights yet, but…"
Hasbulla has been going back and forth with one of the UFC's biggest starts for some time now.
There's clearly no love lost between 'Mini Khabib' and Conor McGregor with both men trading barbs via social media.
Hasbulla has made no secret of the fact he wants to throw down with the Irishman, even asking UFC president Dana White to lock-in a fight between them both.
"Hey uncle @danawhite and @ufc please make it happen, let me eat this chicken @TheNotoriousMMA," he tweeted.
Hasbulla/Twitter
"I'm hungry, I’ll smash him with my mountain spirit. My brother @TeamKhabib smashed him and all his team, now is my time to rise! #HasbullaTime #CantDeleteMyTweetsConor."
McGregor hasn't exactly held back either, taking a few below-the-belt shots at his rival, most recently calling him a 'little smelly inbred' before saying he'd 'love to boot that little g**p Hasbulla over a goal post'.
