The real story behind viral internet star Hasbulla’s car collection – and can he even drive?
WITH a need for speed but short legs that can’t reach the pedals, Hasbulla’s driving habits have long puzzled his legion of supporters.
The pint-sized social media star is regularly seen whizzing around in fast cars and seems to have amassed an enviable fleet of motors.
Since shooting to fame after going viral on TikTok and bagging a UFC contract, the 20-year-old has become accustomed to flash vehicles.
While travelling the world in private jets donning designer clothes and expensive watches, there is always a tasty set of wheels waiting for him when he lands.
Even if he has to sit on one of his pals laps to reach the steering wheel while they control the pedals, Hasbulla doesn’t miss out on a chance to get in the front seat.
The online sensation has famously dodged questions about whether he holds an official driving license, amusingly quipping back: “I am the license.”
Standing at just 3ft 4inches tall, conventional motors are obviously unsuitable for Hasbulla – who has dwarfism – to drive.
So the UFC star got himself a mini Ford Shelby Cobra made for him to conquer the roads with, which he customised himself.
Videos shared on social media showed him squealing with excitement as he hopped in the tiny motor for the first time and revved the engine.
Hasbulla regularly discusses his love for cars, previously explaining he enjoys ” tuning them up, drifting, and the noises they make.”
But in a major contrast, the Russian native is also often seen cruising in hulking motors that easily tower over him.
This includes the highly-sought Ram Rebel TRX, which he was reportedly driving in ahead of his arrest in Dagestan this week.
He and his friends allegedly blocked traffic and did doughnuts on a main road while celebrating a friend’s wedding.
Hasbulla later apologised for his antics and insisted: “I wasn’t driving either.”
The Ram TRX is sure to catch eyes while rolling down the roads of Russia, as it is reportedly the only model in the country.
Among his other usual modes of transport is the high-performance BMW M5, which can race up to 62mph in just 4.4 seconds.
The beastly car boasts a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged eight-cylinder engine under the hood, which delivers a hefty 450 horsepower.
But rather than being seen putting its acceleration to the test, Hasbulla has mostly been snapped standing on the BMW’s bonnet.
Other additions to his impressive car collection include a Mercedes G Wagon – a firm favourite among the rich and famous.
The UFC fighter was seen letting out a delighted roar in sync with the luxury vehicle as he relished in the power of its 2.8-litre engine.
It makes mincemeat of deep troughs, shale hills and scary-looking boulders, and on faster trails it drives like a rally car – with traction control dialled down you can drift it through corners like it’s half the size.
But self-proclaimed car expert Hasbulla seems to appreciate cheaper motors as well, such as the budget Russian-made Lada.
Built with simple materials and a straightforward design, it’s a reliable and robust piece of machinery.
Which is exactly what Hasbulla needs, thanks to his tendency to drive on the wild side.
His social media accounts are littered with photos of his fancy vehicles, as well as ones he seemingly rents while travelling.
One memorable snap shows the star posing next to an orange Lamborghini.
Another showed him climbing into a McLaren 720S after stopping to take some pictures in front of the swanky sports car.
Earlier this year, Hasbulla tried to make use of his large following by attempting to flog his BMW E38 7 Series on social media.
He set up an Instagram account dedicated to the long-wheelbase version of the full-size luxury car and put it on the market for just under £10,000.