A 390lb bodybuilder who goes by the name Iranian Hulk has joined the Bare-Knuckle Fighting Championship.
Sajad Gharibi, also known as the Persian Hercules, stands at 6ft 2in and weighs roughly as much as a killer whale calf.
The 27-year-old has been unveiled as the latest signing by the American fighting organisation and is expected to step into the ring in 2020.
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Sajad Gharibi, also known as the Persian Hercules (pictured), stands at 6ft 2in and weighs 390lbs – roughly as much as a killer whale calf
The 27-year-old (pictured) has been unveiled as the latest signing by the American fighting organisation and is expected to step into the ring in 2020
Gharibi announced his intention to move into combat sports on Instagram in January when he threw down the gauntlet to anyone who was willing to step into the MMA octagon with him.
He wrote: ‘Be brave and Invite me to fight, rather than hiding behind your sponsors. I am ready to fight you, show me what you’ve got to say in the ring.’
In May he accepted the challenge of a Brazilian rival, with the fight to take place before the end of the year.
Gharibi (left and right) announced his intention to move into combat sports on Instagram in January when he threw down the gauntlet to anyone who was willing to step into the MMA octagon with him
‘So I’m finally accepting my first professional fight from a Brazilian fighter before 2020,’ he wrote on Instagram, where he has amassed nearly 450,000 followers.
Gharibi did not name his opponent, but it was speculated to be 29-year-old Romario dos Santos Alves, also known as the Brazilian Hulk.
Alves, who threatened to ‘tear off’ Gharibi’s head in an Instagram video in March, started training seriously in 2009 and weighs around 229 pounds (104kg).
In May he accepted the challenge of a Brazilian rival, with the fight to take place before the end of the year. Gharibi did not name his opponent, but it was speculated to be 29-year-old Romario dos Santos Alves, also known as the Brazilian Hulk (pictured)
Alves (pictured), who threatened to ‘tear off’ Gharibi’s head in an Instagram video in March, started training seriously in 2009 and weighs around 229 pounds (104kg)
But it is not believed the clash of the titans has occurred.
Alves nearly lost an arm in 2013 due to synthol oil injections which caused a severe reaction, according to local media.
The use of injected oil to enhance muscle appearance is common among bodybuilders despite synthol potentially causing pulmonary embolisms, nerve damage, infections and the formation of oil-filled ulcers in the muscle.
Over the last five years the Brazilian Hulk has reportedly changed his lifestyle and started training healthily.
Gharibi, meanwhile, has a cult following on social media where he posts weightlifting shots.
Gharibi, meanwhile, has a cult following on social media where he posts weightlifting shots (pictured)
His Instagram page displays an array of topless photos of himself and pictures of him going about his day to day life.
He often takes pictures with objects that look incredibly small when held next to him – such as can of Fanta orange.
In another photograph he wraps his enormous arm around a normal sized friend.
He can lift around than 180kg, which is almost as much as his bodyweight, and has competed in the powerlifting category of competitions.
He has also participated in bodybuilding competitions representing his country.
If the two Hulks ever do fight in the ring, the Iranian will have a significant size advantage – some 160 pounds and 6ins in height.
But that does not necessary mean he will triumph.
Larger contestants can often be less agile and tire more easily than their lighter opponents.
It was not immediately clear who Gharibi will fight in the Bare-Knuckle Fighting Championship.