Sean Strickland is an elite UFC middleweight fighter. Although he fell short against Alex Pereira, he has wins over Brendan Allen, Uriah Hall, and Jack Hermansson. But his accomplishments often go under the radar. However, it is Strickland himself who has to be blamed for it. Because of his online antics, fans often focus more on his controversies and this time Sean’s target is Hasbulla.
Hasbulla Magomedov has quickly become one of the most popular characters in MMA. Although he is not a fighter, Hasbulla’s endearing relationship with the Khabib Nurmagomedov clan has kept him in the headlines. Although the Russian was a viral sensation at one point, Hasbulla has built up a huge fan base because of his likeability. However, despite his appearance, Magomedov is not a small child.
Born on July 7, 2002, Hasbulla Magomedov is a 20-year-old man. But, as the UFC fans have seen over and over again, Hasbulla often gets treated like a child by Khabib and Islam Makhachev. However, Sean Strickland does not find it adorable and thinks Hasbulla’s treatment from Nurmagomedov and Makhachev is bizarre.
Why do they hold him like a baby?!? WTF IS GOING ON HERE pic.twitter.com/hx3lHUekU5
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) March 20, 2023
He wrote, “Why do they hold him like a bay?!? WTF IS GOING ON HERE.” It looks like Sean is also finding some support from the fans as well. Heavyweight fighter and The Ultimate Fighter 30 finalist Zac Pauga also agreed with Strickland and echoed the sentiment.
Here are some reactions on the matter
I said this last year and people went crazy on me for it 😂
— Zac Pauga (@ZacPauga) March 20, 2023
😂 I told my kids that yesterday. He was sitting in dudes lap and I said he’s 22… that’s weird 😂
— Jerry Mathers (@JerryMather999) March 20, 2023
https://twitter.com/SrhanAmeer/status/1637905804970844160?t=-hOHeb-wvD3g1tCuM4mp4g&s=19
seems more like the way i would hold my girl than my baby
— White Adesanya (@Ostrichest) March 21, 2023
This is not the only piece of controversy from Sean Strickland recently. After UFC flyweight fighter Jeff Molina came out as bisexual, Strickland made some shocking allegations. He insinuated that the incident was staged after Jeff was suspended by the UFC for a betting scandal involving James Krause.
Hasbulla is an official UFC representative
Although fans have seen Hasbulla at Islam Makhachev’s corner at UFC 284, he is not just a guest. In September 2022, UFC signed the social media star as their official representative. In the 5-year deal, Hasbulla Magomedov will be serving as an ambassador for the MMA promotion. There is no doubt that Hasbulla is a special attraction and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal wanting to meet him is a testament to his stardom.
As for the reason for his appearance, Hasbulla suffers from a form of dwarfism. Hence, despite being a 20-year-old, his height has remained the same since childhood. Perhaps that is why both Khabib and Islam have always made him sit on their laps for photo opportunities. While Sean’s claims of Khabib’s treatment of Hasbulla are true to some extent, it certainly comes from a place of a great friendship.
