Makhachkala native and TikTok star Hasbulla Magomedov has become one of 2021’s biggest viral sensations, earning a devoted online following and drawing attention from some of the fight game’s biggest names – but how famous is he?
One would imagine that it would take a certain level of celebrity to be fawned over by the likes of Dana White, Joe Rogan, Logan Paul, Shaquille O’Neal, as well as Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.
The Rock? No. Maybe Arnold Schwarzenegger? Try again. Conor McGregor? Definitely not.
Instead, the man who unites those names in fandom is a social media giant, even if his actual frame is considerably smaller.
Hasbulla – or Hasbik – has captivated audiences since his online videos first began picking up steam online around a year ago, when he posted a series of clips making fun of McGregor, or aping a Khabib press conference.
Today, just a year later, he has gathered a social media following in the millions and can legitimately call Nurmagomedov – himself one of the fight game’s biggest superstars – a true friend.
But how exactly did the pint-size Hasbulla become such a revered figure within MMA?
At first, Hasbulla’s ascent into social media stardom was a slow but steady one. Then a supposed beef with the similarly-sized Abdu Rozik catapulted Hasbulla to infamy.
The clip, which was a mock press conference allegedly promoting a ‘fight’ between the two, saw Hasbulla and Rozik trade insults before squaring off and going forehead-to-forehead, with the video quickly descending into the absurd when the pair began throwing punches and kicks at each other (all of which wildly missed their targets).
Most who viewed the clip took it how it was intended: a bit of light-hearted humor. Russia’s Dwarf Athletic Association, however, didn’t look on it quite so kindly and moaned that the clip was “unethical”.
While some looked down their nose at the video, others were enthralled.
UFC fighter Darren Till declared online that he would “pay good money to watch this”, while Russian star Petr Yan also noted that he found the clip incredibly entertaining.
His fame didn’t stop there. Dana White has also jumped on the Hasbulla Express and recently revealed that a video the UFC president posted of him was the most successful clip he has uploaded to Instagram.
“You know I posted that video of him saying, ‘Dana, I’m coming to UFC Abu Dhabi,’ and then I said, ‘I’m on the plane, can’t wait to meet you in Abu Dhabi?’
“On Instagram, I have 6.7 million followers, right? 6.4 million people watched that video on Instagram. It’s the biggest thing that I’ve ever posted. It’s insane,” said White after inviting Hasbulla to be guest of honor at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi.
White flatly refused to deny that he would host the Hasbulla vs. Rozik fight inside the UFC octagon.
Hasbulla at Khabib’s Eagle FC this past week it. He said fighting Abdu Rozik would bring shame to him. Also calls Rozik a “bum”. With English subtitles. pic.twitter.com/CaT1tJnwHQ
“I love the kid. Is there more than a zero percent chance [that he fights in the UFC]? Yes,” White teased.
Like any famous figure in the fight game, Hasbulla hasn’t always managed to stay clear of controversy.
Earlier this month, rumors emerged that he has been blocked by Instagram for allegedly making death threats against a woman on the social media platform after an unnamed woman was said to have posted images of his sister.
“I will not leave this girl alive until she apologizes to the whole of Instagram, because she filmed a video of my sister and posted it for the entire Instagram,” Hasbulla allegedly wrote.
Scandals aside, Hasbulla’s great pal Khabib predicts nothing but success in his his future – even saying that he could go on to earn a great fortune as a result of his social media clout.
But the former UFC champ says that he isn’t keen to see him follow in his footsteps in the cage.
“Honestly, I don’t want to make this fight,” Khabib told Red Corner MMA of the potential showdown with Rozik.
“I don’t support this idea. I don’t think this is a good idea. They’re both big names, they can create some good things if they become friends. If I had a choice, I’m going to make them friends.
“Maybe do some good charity things [together], they can become ambassadors for charity funds… but I don’t want to see this fight. We have enough fighting around the world. Peace is better than war.
“He has to go to the US; all the big sports stars know him there, he’s very popular,” Khabib added.
“He has to move for a couple of years to the US and become, maybe, a billionaire. Minimum, he can become a millionaire.”
“The WWE, wrestling, also wants him to come to them somehow,” said the former UFC champion, according to Championat. “They want to pay him some big money to get him into the ring. He’s immensely popular abroad.”
Hasbulla has gone from social media to obscurity to superstardom in just a year. In 12 months’ time we might just be looking at global domination.
The wife of Lewis Hamilton’s boss, Toto Wolff, has accused F1 chiefs of lacking integrity and robbing the Brit of the World Championship – issuing a rant hours before the Mercedes chief hinted Hamilton could leave the sport.
Former Formula One participant Susie Wolff, who is the CEO of the Venturi Formula E team, has become one of the first figures closely associated with Mercedes to speak up about the dramatic final Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi.
FIA race director Michael Masi has been roundly criticized for his decisions around the use of the Safety Car, with many questioning F1 authorities while arguing that a baffling interpretation of the rules allowed Max Verstappen to overtake Lewis Hamilton on the final lap to win his first crown.
Hours before Wolff seemed devastated at a press conference and said he could not give any assurances Hamilton will return to Formula One next season, his wife, who made history as the first woman to participate in an F1 weekend at the British Grand Prix in 2014 under the Williams banner, addressed the scandal.
“He was not sure, either himself or Lewis would ever get over this.”
Sky Sports News Craig Slater reports as Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff says he can give 'no assurances' Lewis Hamilton will return to Formula One next season ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/NT1jfQaNdV
“Going into this final weekend, I believed both teams and drivers deserved to win,” she said, accompanying her words with a photo of herself embracing Hamilton.
“It was going to be a spectacle, a historic race that we all hoped would end without controversy. That wasn’t to be.
“What happened is still hard to comprehend and leaves me with a sick feeling… the way in which Lewis was robbed has left me in utter disbelief.
“The decision of one person within the governing body who applied a rule in a way which has never been done before in F1 single-handedly decided the F1 drivers’ world championship.
“Rules are rules, they can’t be changed on a whim or by one individual at the end of the race.”
Wolff said that her gripe was not to do with being a sore loser or aimed at Verstappen or Red Bull, who she called “deserving winners”, adding that “we always knew it was a strong possibility we may not win”.
She then spoke of seven-time champion Hamilton, praising her compatriot for showing “incredible integrity and dignity in the face of injustice”.
“You are the greatest there has ever been,” she said of the man who was knighted in England on Wednesday.
“The outcome of the last laps on Sunday? Those who know, they know – even those who can’t quite bring themselves to admit it.”
When asked about Hamilton’s future, Toto Wolff said: “I think as a racer, his heart will say ‘I need to continue’. But we have to overcome the pain.”
Wolff also revealed that he nor his star driver will not be attending the FIA Awards Ceremony on Thursday night.
Wolff’s wife hoped that by March 2022 “there is a governing body with sporting integrity and fairness at its core so I can fall back in love with F1”.
She earned admiration from some fans who hailed her bravery in calling the fiasco as she saw it.
We need more bravery like Susie to have the guts to say it as the whole world say it!! Just can't believe how quiet @MercedesAMGF1 have been since the weekend, they haven't even celebrated their 8th manufacturers championship! Although maybe it's the word manufactured!!
“Like she said, don’t be mad at the drivers or teams,” remarked one. “They were just following orders. Blame the FIA entirely and maybe Mercedes for not taking the risk and boxing Lewis.”
“Max was the more deserving champion over the whole year,” argued another. “But this will always be marked down as a fixed race. It’s so unfair on both drivers.”
“We need more bravery like Susie’s, to have the guts to say it as the whole world says it,” came another appraisal.
“I just can’t believe how quiet Mercedes have been since the weekend. They haven’t even celebrated their eighth manufacturer’s championship.”
Felt really good to come home to a factory of World Champions
Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome today and more importantly for your hard work over the past year pic.twitter.com/sex1cJGbJK
Those on the other side of the argument, however, called it “tactical PR” in a bid to get Masi fired by the FIA, amid Verstappen saying he “doesn’t care” if an investigation sees him stripped of the title.
“I’m fine; I don’t even think about it too much, because I do feel like the world champion, and it doesn’t matter what they try to do,” Verstappen said on Wednesday.
“We won it on track, we won it when there was a green light and we passed them on track, and they will never be able to take that away from me anyway.
“About the possible appeal – I’m not busy with that. As a team, of course, it might be disturbing, but for us we have been really enjoying the last few days.”
Regarding his relationship with Toto Wolff, Verstappen said: “I think I can be a forgiving person but at the moment it’s still all so new… that it’s better not to talk about it too much.
“But I saw Toto in Monaco before Saudi, I had a dinner and he was sitting on the table next to me and we had a chat.
“He, of course, goes flat out for his team and I know mine also does everything they can.
“But besides that, I do think you should be accepting a loss – it doesn’t matter how much it hurts. I do think there that there’s a bit of a difference between the teams.”
The US National Football League (NFL) had updated its Covid-19 protocols in response to the spread of the Omicron variant, imposing restrictions on both vaccinated and unvaccinated players.
The NFL announced its revised protocols in a statement on Thursday, revealing that masks would be mandatory “regardless of vaccination status,” that in-person meals would be banned, and that meetings would be held either remotely or outdoors, “effective immediately.”
“The changes we are making today aim to address the increase in cases and the advent of the Omicron variant,” the statement declared, adding that the NFL would “continue to strongly encourage booster shots as the most effective protection.”
“All of these changes are grounded in our data and science-backed approach, with safety our number-one goal for the entire NFL community,” the NFL concluded.
While both vaccinated and unvaccinated players were ordered to mask up, the league cut the vaccinated some slack, making it easier for them to return to play after quarantine.
Under the new protocols, vaccinated players have more testing options which will allow them to hit the field after quarantine quicker, while unvaccinated players will continue to be required to test daily, unlike vaccinated players who test weekly.
Still, the new protocols did not go down well on social media, with critics pointing out that rolling out restrictions for vaccinated and unvaccinated players might discourage skeptics to get the jab.
After bullying all players and coaches into getting “vaccinated” for covid the NFL today announced new covid policies that essentially acknowledge there is no difference between the vaccinated and unvaccinated players.
Genuine question, what incentive to NFL players have to get vaccinated? All this does it make it so people on the fence won't do it. https://t.co/gz3AUjmDnw
The NFL has been pushing its vaccine-skeptical players and staff into getting vaccinated and previously enforced harsh, separate protocols for the unvaccinated, which included daily testing, mandatory masks, and a ban on mingling with others.
Several stars have been punished for breaking the NFL’s Covid-19 rules and Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Antonio Brown was suspended this month for using a counterfeit vaccination card to ‘prove’ his status.
NFL Network’s Judy Battista reported on Wednesday that around 100 players recently tested positive for the virus over a three-day span.
Along with soaking up spectacular landscapes, glimpsing extraordinary wildlife and sampling mouth-watering cuisine, we think making deep connections with the countries and communities we visit is vitally important, too. That’s why at Enchanting Travels we always strive to offer one-of-a-kind responsible travel experiences to all of our guests, regardless of their chosen holiday destination.
From selecting local guides to show you around their home cities to organizing memorable trips which provide much-needed support for indigenous communities, there are so many ways to give back to the people and places we visit on our travels. You could also enjoy various hands-on experiences – from craft workshops to building projects – or go completely off the beaten path during a life-changing sustainable travel trip.
To give you an idea of what responsible travel activities we’re able to provide as part of your tailored trip itinerary, we’ve highlighted a few of our favorite options below.
Spend a day with Kenyan grandmothers
Not just home to some truly wonderful wildlife, Kenya is also well-known for its friendly and fascinating communities. Why not give back to them with this interactive, once-in-a-lifetime experience?
We’ve partnered with One Horizon, an Africa-based tour company that specializes in responsible travel, to offer this amazing activity option. It’ll see you spending a day with a welcoming group of inspiring older Kenyan women, learning about their lifestyles and gaining an insight into their local traditions and practices.
Many of the grandmas work hard to support their families. Part of your experience will therefore include gifting either one piglet or 25 chicks to their farms which will help provide them with vital sustenance and income in the months to come.
Depending on the day you visit, you’ll be able to assist with chores around the farm and even prepare a traditional – and very delicious! – Kenyan lunch. It’ll be a day for making memories and changing lives – both the grandmas’ and your own.
Cooking lessons with One HorizonDonating chicks for small scale farmingSharing a meal made togetherMaking connections
Enjoy a real-life “Out of Africa” experience with Florian Keller
If you’ve ever watched the 1985 blockbuster Out of Africa, you’ll know just how beautiful the scenery in this corner of the world can be!
This next experience is one we’re able to offer exclusively to guests visiting Kenya. That’s because our company co-founder, Florian Keller, currently calls the same location where the inspiring film was shot 36 years ago his home. Receive a warm welcome into his wonderful property near Nairobi and enjoy breakfast or drinks with views across the stunning Ngong Hills.
In addition to soaking up the scenery and spotting the occasional wild animal in the distance, you could also sit down to dine beside the property’s magnificent fireplace. It was here, three decades ago, that Robert Redford and Meryl Streep’s characters told stories to each other over the crackling of the warm open fire.
A truly unique experience, visiting Florian’s home allows you to glimpse a place that has shaped the imaginations of countless people across the world!
Florian Keller at his property in Kenya
Explore Delhi during a Salaam Baalak Trust City Walk
India’s capital is a true kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, cultures and colors. This next responsible travel experience allows you to see the city through the eyes of a new generation by embarking on an English-speaking walking tour of Delhi organized by the Salaam Baalak Trust.
This NGO supports the city’s street children and gives them access to opportunities to help achieve their dreams. Working and street children in India are at constant risk of crime, exploitation and falling into poverty. Salaam Baalak provide safe centers for vulnerable kids across the city where they can receive essential services such as medical care, education and food and clothing supplies.
We recommend to our guests visiting Delhi that they support the organization by booking one of the organization’s City Walk tours. They’re led by the children themselves, who have been formally trained as local guides. You’ll get to visit corners of the capital that aren’t usually seen on regular tours and receive first-hand insight into the city’s contemporary culture.
Salaam Balak students and tour guidesStreet food in DelhiCo-Founder Florian Keller on the street tourLife in DelhiLocal delicacies
Experience authentic Tanzanian culture at the Africa Amini Maasai Lodge
If Tanzania has long been on your travel bucket list, why not plan a safari experience there with Enchanting Travels? One of the many ways you can make your stay more responsible is to book a few nights in the Africa Amini Maasai Lodge.
This incredible property is located in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro and run by Africa Amini Alama. The 16 lodges resemble traditional Maasai dwellings, complete with straw roofs and earth walls, yet they also all feature plenty of modern creature comforts. Most of the staff at the lodge are Maasai, too, and you’ll be able to embark on a range of remarkable activity options which will give you first-hand experience of their culture and traditions.
As well as providing jobs for members of the local community, the money generated from bookings at the lodge goes towards a range of inspiring projects in the surrounding area. This includes educational and medical programs, in addition to vital wildlife conservation.
Overall, this exceptional accommodation experience allows you to stay in a truly stunning property, while simultaneously giving back to important community projects.
Africa Amini Alama
Connect with a local farming family in Kerala, India
The picturesque Kerala region is one of the most popular and naturally beautiful destinations we send our guests to in South India. In addition to enjoying its epic landscapes on organized tours and excursions, you could also embrace responsible travel with a stay at Phillipkuttys Farm.
The property in the backwaters of Kerala consists of seven thoughtfully designed villas. They’re spread out on a working farm located on an island in serene Lake Vembanad. You’ll be hosted by the farm’s friendly owner and his family who are on hand to take you on tours of the farm, cook you mouth-watering Keralan dishes or even just to have a chat over a steaming cup of chai!
The open-plan villas have all been individually designed and are entirely private from both each other and the host family’s home. Soak up peaceful vistas of the water from your verandah and admire traditional furnishings which have all been individually chosen to give the villas a homey feel.
There is also a whole program of activities on offer for guests at Phillipkuttys Farm, including private yoga classes, bike rides to nearby villages and sunset cruises on the farm’s wooden canal boat.
Kerala’s tea farms
Dive deep into the culture of Laos in Luang Prabang
Laos is a country whose culture remains a mystery to many. Consider rectifying that with a visit to the nation’s most regal city, Luang Prabang.
Tucked away on the northern fringes of Laos, the entire metropolis boasts UNESCO World Heritage status. It was the country’s royal capital for thousands of years until 1975 and now consequently offers visitors a melting pot of architectural styles and beautiful landmarks to explore.
Instead of simply spending a few days touring Luang Prabang’s peaceful Buddhist temples and magnificent Royal Palace, why not embrace its distinctive culture with a few responsible travel experiences?
Get involved with the early morning alms giving led by the city’s local monks or set off on an elephant trek through the Huay Sae Valley with the Shangri-Lao Explorer Camp. The camp based just outside Luang Prabang provides responsible treks which begin with feeding the elephants and chatting to a local veterinarian about their health and well-being.
Another brilliant activity to add to your itinerary in Luang Prabang is volunteering with the Big Brother Mouse initiative. The selfless organization creates, publishes and hands out educational books to the most deprived schools in the area. Spend a morning selecting books to be donated and delivering to schools in need.
Traditional architecture in Luang PrabangLocal childrenSleeping BuddahAlms giving in Luang PrabangTam mak hoong: Laos-style papaya salad
Ready to dive deeper on your next journey? Simply tell us your dream destination and we’ll show you ways you can connect with its local people and culture.
It’s undeniably been a strange time for travel this past year. With COVID-19 still present, many of you may be a little hesitant to venture too far abroad.
Thankfully, there are lots of incredible locations just a quick journey away which you can visit safely for a much-needed change of scene. In fact, many of our guests have already traveled during COVID-19 and enjoyed some truly life-changing experiences!
COVID-19 travel is made easy when you choose destinations with shorter journey times and fewer crowds. From breathtaking national parks unchanged by the modern world to places famed for their vibrant cultures and age-old traditions, why not plan other-worldly experiences in the following locations a little closer to home?
Alaska
Diverse and dramatic landscapes hiding wondrous wildlife and ancient indigenous communities make Alaska an ideal option for COVID-19 safe travel.
The region’s vast wildernesses allow you to steer clear of the crowds and spend the majority of your trip in the great outdoors. Enjoy a week hiking in the immense Denali National Park – home to the highest peak in North America – or glimpse grizzly bears amongst the tall trees of Glacier Bay National Park.
Alaska’s coastlines are a haven for animal fanatics, too. Untouched beaches give way to Pacific Ocean waters teeming with seals, whales and sea lions, particularly around the scenic Kenai Peninsula. Anchorage is also a must-see during COVID-19 travel to Alaska. Despite its status as a city, it’s far from crowded. Taste the eclectic local cuisine and stop off at the Alaska Native Heritage Center where you can learn all about the area’s fascinating indigenous groups.
Glimpse grizzly bears in Alaska’s wilderness
Mexico
Mexico may be home to one of the largest, most bustling cities in Central America, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a great location for COVID-19 safe travel!
Avoid the big cities and beach resorts and make for lesser-known locales. Experience the tranquillity of Palenque, an ancient Mayan city set within the Chiapas jungle that boasts UNESCO World Heritage status. Those after sun and sea should consider a trip to Punta Mita. The private peninsula is perfect for COVID-19 travel, with high-end hotels and quiet beaches creating a paradise for R&R.
Many of Mexico’s colorful colonial cities are also ideal for soaking up some of the country’s eclectic culture. Oaxaca is a melting pot of traditions and tantalizing cuisine. What’s more, it has a distinctive local identity which can be explored at its various arts and crafts markets, as well as its amazing restaurants. Alternatively, peaceful San Miguel de Allende in the highlands of Central Mexico is a magnet for culture-seekers and those excited to soak in the area’s natural thermal springs.
Hawaii
Most visit Hawaii for its luxurious beach resorts. Nevertheless, there’s far more to this North American oasis than its soft sand shores!
Embrace Hawaii’s welcoming culture with a visit to Oahu Island. As well as being home to the capital, Honolulu, you’ll also discover wonderful hiking trails and fantastic museums where you can learn more about the islands’ intriguing pasts. Oahu also hosts the Polynesian Cultural Centre where you can learn about local ways of life. Prefer a more hands-on cultural experience? Take a trip to a local village to meet indigenous communities and sample the deliciously fresh Hawaiian cuisine.
If you’d rather go off the beaten path, Maui and Kauai are wonderful picks. The latter is blanketed in virgin forest and is a true playground for outdoor adventure seekers. Take a canoe trip through the verdant Wailua River valley or laze around on deserted beaches along the Napali Coast. Maui is a haven for snorkelers thanks to its amazing reefs. You’ll also be able to see a different side of Hawaiian culture in Upcountry Maui. Meet real-life Hawaiian cowboys and admire exquisite artwork in charming Makawao!
Explore Kauai’s breathtaking coastline.
Costa Rica
If you’re searching for a nearby country that’s particularly great for sustainable trips, there are few better places than Costa Rica. The Central American nation is not too far to journey to for a week or so of once-in-a-lifetime adventures – and the options are truly endless!
Head deep into one of Costa Rica’s protected forests, such as the Monteverde Cloud Forest Ecological Reserve, where you’ll have numerous hiking trails to explore and a choice of luxury eco-lodges to stay in. The country also boasts two spectacular coastlines where you can enjoy balmy weather conditions and all manner of marine life. The Tortuguero region is particularly stunning and its sandy coves are the nesting grounds of graceful giant sea turtles.
Those who want to keep their distance from their fellow travelers might prefer a holiday to one of Costa Rica’s quieter locales. The dreamy Osa Peninsula is great for beach lovers who like to feel like the only people on Earth, while the charming town of Bajos del Toro lets you immerse yourself in the authentic rural traditions of the country.
Hike through protected ecological reserves
Canada
Embrace lakeside living or tick off some of the country’s 48 epic National Parks with a COVID-19-safe trip to Canada. Jaw-dropping landscapes are spread across the nation, in addition to amazing cities with distinctly different histories and traditions.
Thrilling adventures are at your fingertips in beautiful locations like Jasper National Park. Spring and summer are the best times to visit Canada for extraordinary wildlife encounters. Pacific Coast hotspots such as lovely Vancouver Island are famed for whale watching, while 5,000 kilometers east on the Atlantic Coast is where you’ll find sleepy fishing towns which seem frozen in time. You could also book a winter break to enjoy miles of powdery snow and exhilarating winter sports in Whistler.
Canada may have a reputation as an adventure holiday destination, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit for cultural getaways, too. Quebec City and Montreal are the best places to experience the country’s intriguing French heritage, whether that’s mouth-watering cuisine like poutine or elegant European-inspired architecture.
Alternatively, Dawson City on the shores of the Yukon River is an excellent spot to educate yourself about the Klondike Gold Rush. You could also ask our destination experts to put together an itinerary that lets you interact with the local indigenous communities across Canada and learn about their ancient ways of life.
Watch orca’s play in the waters of Vancouver Island
