“I was cuddling him while…

By Guillaume K. | Sports journalist

When Hasbulla was at the height of his popularity, he had the chance to meet many combat sports legends. The most memorable is the one with Mike Tyson, and the latter returned to this viral moment.

At one time, Hasbulla was a social media phenomenon and superstar in the MMA world. He regularly hung out with the Nurmagomedov clan, was invited by Dana White to all UFC events, and he was even treated to his own range of merchandising on the organization's website.

Affected by an illness which gives him a youthful appearance despite his 22 years, the Russian has had the opportunity to meet many personalities, from Shaquille O'Neal to Mark Wahlberg, obviously including Mike Tyson. It is also with the latter that he experienced his most viral sequence… The images speak for themselves.

Mike Tyson cash on his meeting with Hasbulla

Hasbulla may be small, but he is still a young adult. So seeing him being tickled and kissed like this by Mike Tyson always makes Internet users laugh a lot because the sequence is so lunar. For the show “The Art Of Ward”, the former world boxing champion returned to this remarkable meeting with mini-Khabib.

When I met him I thought he was a baby… I really meant it with the way he wanted to punch me. I don't know… That's how I behave with young children. I was giving him hugs even though he must be 26 years old! I wasn't doing it for the cameras, I just didn't know.

Mike Tyson was fooled by Hasbulla's appearance during this meeting which is now in internet history. He thought he was facing a child, which explains his very tactile behavior and his kisses. It's a safe bet that the reunion, if it ever takes place, will not be in the same vein at all.

Mike Tyson is not the first to be disturbed by the appearance of young Hasbulla. But when we read this testimony, we suspect that he has some regrets about this filmed and viral meeting. He will be more attentive in the future.