Massive powerlifter ‘Iranian Hulk’ teases MMA debut

MMA has had a long history of hosting huge spectacles or “freakshow bouts,” and if this social media announcement is any indication, it looks like we could have another big one coming up… literally.

Sajad Gharibi, a massive powerlifter that’s become an internet sensation due to his physique, took to social media to announce a move to mixed martial arts.

“So I’m finally accepting my first professional fight from a Brazilian fighter before 2020,” Gharibi wrote on Instagram.

The 27-year-old has been listed to be 6-foot-2 and weighs well over 300 lbs. While he’s certainly massive, he did include a badly photoshopped image of himself in his announcement.

This isn’t the first time Gharibi has teased an MMA bout, and reports from late 2018 had KSW supposedly trying to match him up against a fellow powerlifter and internet sensation.

That would’ve been very on-brand match up for KSW, who has also long promoted “world’s strongest man” Mariusz Pudzianowski along with many other super-heavyweights, but with Gharibi’s announcement involving a “Brazilian,” it looks like it won’t be happening.

Either way, if this other fight pans out, we just have to hope the promotion finds an equally massive dance partner, and that USADA isn’t involved to ruin all the fun.