
via Imago
via IMAGO

via Imago
via IMAGO
Islam Makhachev will rematch Charles Oliveira at UFC 294. It may turn out to be a legacy-defining fight for both men. Oliveira lost his title to Makhachev meekly in the second round in their first encounter at UFC 280. A loss in the rematch may see him knocked out of title contention for a significant amount of time.
On the other hand, the Dagestani has a chance to cement his legacy as one of the best lightweights, perhaps the greatest of his generation, if he wins. However, it seems, another very special fellow Dagestani might just steal the show at UFC 294.
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21-year-old UFC ambassador meets Mark Wahlberg at an event
Hasbulla Magomedov is a Dagestani social media star who is popular among UFC fans. He counts among his admirers UFC royalty such as Khabib Nurmagomedov, Kamaru Usman, Islam Makhachev, and, of course, Dana White. So popular is Hasbulla among the UFC fans that the promotion has signed him to a five-year contract and also sells official Hasbulla merch on its official store.

via Imago
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 30: Khabib Nurmagomedov and Hasbulla Magomedov celebrate in the Octagon after Islam Makhachev’s victory over Dan Hooker in a lightweight fight during the UFC 267 event at Etihad Arena on October 30, 2021 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Recently, the UFC CEO invited him to the finale of the Power Slap, owned by White. Also invited to the event was Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg. Eventually, the Hollywood star and ‘Mini Khabib’ ran into each other there. On his Instagram Stories, the Dagestani posted a picture of himself talking to Wahlberg as Dana White looks on. Hasbulla captioned the post “Were talking about something”. This has led many to speculate that ‘Mini Khabib’ might attend UFC 294 in the UAE to cheer for his friend, Islam Makhachev.
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Mark Wahlberg asks Hasbulla to slap him
In a video doing the rounds from the Power Slap finale, Wahlberg and Hasbulla got into an amusing interaction. Wahlberg would squat down to Hasbulla’s level and asked ‘Mini Khabib’ to slap him, as a beaming White looked on.
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But, fortunately for Wahlberg, in a display of his magnanimity and large-heartedness, ‘Mini Khabib’ took pity on the Hollywood star sparing him and refused to slap him. This, no doubt, spared Wahlberg a swollen cheek or black eye, and put his acting career in jeopardy. What do you think about Hasbulla and Wahlberg’s interaction? Let us know in the comments section below.
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