Hasbulla headbutts Alex Pereira in hilarious backstage faceoff at UFC 311 weigh-in
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Russian social media personality Hasbulla Magomedov came forehead-to-forehead with one of the most dangerous men on the planet.
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is considered one of the most destructive athletes on the planet. Despite Pereira’s intimidating presence and massive size, Hasbulla Magomedov wasn’t shaken by the UFC juggernaut in a recent faceoff.
Pereira is plotting his UFC return after finishing Khalil Rountree Jr. in his most recent title defense at UFC 307. He’s likely set to face Magomedov’s fellow countryman, Magomed Ankalaev, for his next title defense, although the Jamahal Hill vs. Jiří Procházka UFC 311 winner will also be in the mix.
In the meantime, Pereira is enjoying some well-deserved time off from fighting as he plots his 2025 comeback. He’s in Los Angeles, along with several other UFC standouts, for the promotion’s first pay-per-view card of the year at UFC 311.
Hasbulla, a close ally of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, ran into Pereira backstage at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-in. He lured Pereira into an impromptu faceoff, and while Pereira was the more intimidating presence, Hasbulla got the last laugh.
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Hasbulla sends Alex Pereira flying after faceoff headbutt
Pereira squatted down to match Hasbulla’s 3 feet, 3 inches tall frame and completed their faceoff backstage. After coming forehead to forehead, Hasbulla headbutted the UFC light heavyweight champion, sending Pereira off balance and falling backward.
It was a humorous moment for all involved, and it’s safe to say that Pereira didn’t expect Hasbulla to be the more aggressive party in their staredown. But the UFC light heavyweight champion showed off his impressive durability in taking Hasbulla’s head-to-head strike.
Makhachev, Renato Moicano, and others then came face-to-face for the final time before UFC 311 gets underway on Saturday. In the co-main event, UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will face Nurmagomedov’s cousin, Umar, in his first title defense.
Alex Pereira looks ahead to another eventful year in the Octagon
Hasbulla is an avid UFC fan and is present at many major events featuring Makhachev and other Dagestani fighters. He has a close relationship with UFC CEO Dana White and other top executives.
Pereira defeated Hill, Prochazka, and Rountree in his strong case for 2024 ‘Fighter of the Year’. He’s undefeated since making the full-time move to light heavyweight following a knockout loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287.
While Hasbulla has a cordial relationship with Pereira and other top UFC stars, one of the promotion’s biggest names isn’t his fan. He’s taken repeated shots at UFC superstar Conor McGregor in recent years and vowed to kick him if they ever crossed paths.
Hasbulla has become a colorful character in the MMA community and will be cage-side to watch Makhachev clash with Moicano at UFC 311. If any other celebrities want to stare him down, they should be prepared for a potential headbutt.
