“I don’t know how to explain this sport” – Fans puzzled as internet sensation Hasbulla mediates Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski’s face off at UFC 294

Internet sensation Hasbulla cameos at the UFC 294 staredowns, between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski

“I don’t know how to explain this sport” – Fans puzzled as internet sensation Hasbulla mediates Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski’s face off at UFC 294

Hasbulla at the Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 press (Source: Twitter)

The Ultimate Fighting Championship held its UFC 294 official press conference. Lightweight king Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski are headlining the event at Etihad Arena. As part of the co-main event, Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev were also among the attendees. Mediating the face-off between the fighters was Hasbulla Magomedovich Magomedov. He is a renowned Russian social media phenom. Although Hasbulla has associated himself with high-profile MMA fighters in the past, fans have reacted to him amidst the stare-down.

“I honestly don’t know how to explain this sport to people sometimes,” said one prominent fan reaction on X. This reaction to a picture of the internet phenom, standing between the two fighters, seemingly striking to be out of place. He handed the UFC title to Makhachev before his face-off against Volkanovski. Hasbulla even stood between them during the stare-down at large.

YouTube video

This was not the first time Hasbulla had chosen to support his fellow Dagestani friend. He also felt inclined to ally with him at UFC 280 last year. Fans have humorously included the sentiment that Makhachev brought on Hasbulla to mock Volkanovski. In the lead-up to Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2, a light-hearted wrestling video featuring Hasbulla and former champion Daniel Cormier went viral. In reaction to his video and the news of Hasbulla arriving in Abu Dhabi, fans had taken to the internet. Responses poured in, calling Makhachev smart to bring Hasbulla to his corner. Some mentioned that Volkanovski is strikingly nearer to Hasbulla’s height.

FS Video
https://twitter.com/oocmma/status/1715003169481134492?s=20

Vokanovski will finally get a second shot at a two-division gold at the slated matchup. He had missed the chance narrowly at UFC 284, thus turning this rematch into such a hyped encounter. Hasbulla is also naturally expected to be in attendance during the fight.

Related: “You don’t back your skills?” Alexander Volkanovski confronts Islam Makhachev about rehydration after IV controversy in first meeting

Fans react to Hasbulla at Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 staredowns

Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski got their first thorough look at each other at the UFC 294 fight official pre-fight press conference. With an outstanding 24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC streak, champion Makhachev will take on challenger Volkanovski. The latter fighter aims to capture both divisional golds under his reign. Along with this, also in attendance was internet personality Hasbulla as an intermediary.

Hasbulla
Hasbulla (Source: IMAGO)

Hasbulla, also called the “mini-Khabib,” has mingled with many fighters within the promotion. He has stood by Makhachev when he took on Charles Oliveira for the lightweight titular bout. The Dagestani won that match with an arm-triangle choke in the second round. This time around, fans have erupted with multitudes of emotions at the presence of the 20-year-old at the press conference.

https://twitter.com/Dontclickhere77/status/1715003974057623875?s=20

Hasbulla is widely associated with a variety of MMA personalities after a popular video of his saw him reenacting the weigh-in routine of ex-UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. This has consequently also earned him a nickname. He has been reenacting UFC content for a while and crossed paths with many other non-promotional entities, like Mike Tyson.

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