Sajad Gharibi, a 27-year-old weightlifter, has become better known by his nickname: The Iranian Hulk. It’s easy to see why. At 6’2″ and 390 lbs., his physique is something to be reckoned with. The brawny bodybuilder’s unique frame has also made him an internet celebrity, with more than 460,000 people following him on Instagram.
However, Gharibi is not content with merely being a bodybuilder and an internet personality.
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Gharibi has been trying to break into the fighting scene for some time now.
Back in 2018, it seemed like the Iranian Hulk would have his first big match-up with the massive powerlifter Martyn Ford , who stands at 6’8″, in what would have been the MMA debut for both of them.
However, that fight fell through.
A few months later, another challenger looked ready to take on the Iranian Hulk.
This time it was Romario dos Santos Alves, aka The Brazilian Hulk. The pre-fight hype built up with Alves saying he would “tear off” Gharibi’s head in an Instagram video, but before we could find out which hulk would reign supreme, that fight fell through as well.
With Alves a full six inches shorter and 161 pounds lighter than Gharibi, it might have been for the best.
Others have speculated on entering the ring with Gharibi as well.
UFC fighter Brian Ortega, who is a mere 5’8″ and 145 pounds, told TMZ he was confident he could take out the Iranian Hulk.
“I would just gas him out, piss him off,” he said. “Of course, you’re gonna see me just get mauled up like a damn little chihuahua in the beginning…but just when I ride that wave out, it’s a done deal man. He’ll gas out and he’ll be mine.”
Gharibi hasn’t stopped trying for lack of a suitable opponent, however.
Now, Gharibi has a new deal with the Bare-Knuckle Fighting Championship. Details clearly haven’t been sorted out on who he’ll be fighting or when, but the BKFC does have a broad idea in mind.
Promotional materials were seen that included the phrases “World War III” and “USA vs. Iran,” according to MMA Fighting .
Given what’s happened so far, you can’t help feeling a bit skeptical, but it sounds like the BKFC want to make Gharibi’s dream come true.
The league is planning to do some tryouts to find Gharibi a proper opponent.
“This guy’s going to make his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut in early 2020,” said the company’s president, David Feldman. “We’re going to do a show entitled ‘USA vs. Iran: World War III.’ He’s literally our biggest signing we’ve ever had. But he’s going to make his way over to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, he’s gonna make a home here, and we expect really, really big things from the ‘Iranian Hulk.'”
h/t: MMA Fighting , The Sun
