The Dwarf Athletic Commission of Russia has slammed the social media buzz around a possible Hasbulla Magomedov fight.
On May 18th, 2021, a mixed martial arts battle between Dagestani social media star Hasbulla Magomedov alias “Mini Khabib” and Tajik social media star Abdu Rozik was rumoured to take place. The fight was allegedly organised by Chechen MMA fighter Asxab Tamaev.
Tamaev also hinted that the two social media celebrities would be compensated for their appearances. However, it is uncertain if the Magomedov vs. Rozik fight will take place at this time. Regardless, the possible match has sparked social media attention, and has angered Russia’s Dwarf Athletic Commission.
Uliana Podpalnaya, the president of the Russian Dwarf Athletic Association, called the battle “unethical” and “false” . She condemned the fight and said, “It’s not even like a show fight – they get paid a lot of money and it’s a show to make people laugh. There’s nothing serious about this, this isn’t a sport.”
She continued, “This is unethical, wrong, from my point of view. It seems to me that only on the one hand it can be correct and beautiful – if martial arts among small people are made a Paralympic sport.”
“It could be judo, karate, and people will understand that this is a serious sport, serious performances, and not some kind of laughing show,” she said.
“Events like this don’t draw attention to the sport of little people. If interest in this appears, it’s only because a lot of money is being invested in it. And from the point of view of the sports career growth of these guys, there are no prospects,” Podpalnaya stated.
Regardless of the social media buzz created by the fight and the alleged money involved, Podpalnaya believes the fight does not portray the “sport of little kids” in a positive light.
She also addressed the derogatory remarks and insults aimed at both social media celebrities. The president of the Russian Dwarf Athletic Commission also mentioned that the fight’s social media focus has mostly been criticism and contempt for the Paralympic group.