Israeli MMA fighter Haim Gozali has published a shocking photo of an explosive projectile with the names of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Khamzat Chimaev and Belal Muhammad written on it.
The weapon, believed to be an artillery shell, is intended for use by the Israeli army against Hamas in the current conflict.
All the UFC fighters named on the scale are Muslim, with Gozali adding, “This is from me to the (rat emoji).”
The post was removed from social media platform X, formerly Twitter, for violating the platform’s rules.
However, it is widely shared and panned by opponents of the war in the Middle East.
Gozali (pictured) is an experienced MMA fighter who calls himself the ‘Israeli Batman’ and has served in his country’s military
Gozali’s original post was removed by X for violating the rules, but has been widely shared and filtered by third parties
UFC fans were quick to condemn Gozali for his post.
“Poking Khamzat is definitely not smart,” one person wrote.
“Maybe someone should remind him what happened when someone called Khabib’s father a terrorist,” another added.
That message harks back to a time when Conor McGregor infamously called Nurmagomedov’s manager a “terrorist traitor” and his father a “trembling coward.”
Nurmagomedov would dominate McGregor at UFC 229 with a huge overhand right in the second round before submitting him in the fourth round.
Gozali, also known as the ‘Israeli Batman’, is an Israeli mixed martial artist who made a name for himself in Bellator MMA and is known for his skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Born in 1973, he holds a fifth-degree black belt in jiu-jitsu that he earned under famed fighter Renzo Gracie.
Throughout his career, he competed in middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, amassing a record of 15 wins and six losses.
Gozali also previously served in the Israeli Border Police during his military service.
Gozali’s post has drawn harsh criticism from MMA fans
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov (left, before his fight with Conor McGregor, right) is listed on the scale
On October 7, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, with hundreds of armed men infiltrating communities near the Gaza Strip.
This attack resulted in the loss of more than 1,400 Israeli lives. The Israeli army reported that 230 soldiers and civilians, including women and children, had been taken to Gaza as hostages.
In response, the Israeli army carried out air and artillery strikes in Gaza, resulting in the tragic deaths of more than 8,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-led Health Ministry in the Strip.
As part of the conflict, Israel has imposed restrictions, including cutting off electricity and most water to the area and halting imports of food and medicine.
However, since Saturday they have allowed several dozen aid trucks through the Egyptian border crossing at Rafah.
In the photo: the exchange between Gozali and Khamzat Chimaev on Instagram, which has since been removed from the social media platform
Gozali has also recently been involved in a war of words with Chechen-born UFC star Khamzat Chimaev, whose name was on the list that placed the Israeli fighter on the bomb destined for Hamas.
In a now-deleted Instagram post, Chimaev wrote: “You are just guests of Palestine,” respect them for granting you asylum. One day they will drive you out of Palestine, Inshallah. Bring me the strongest man in Israel, I will break him.”
Gozali replied, “I am not the strongest man in Israel, but I dare you to come and ‘try’ to break me every day!” I know you have a contract with the @ufc and I don’t care so I challenge you to a Bare Knuckle Fight or Grappling… your choice!!!! I’ll wait for you if you dare at all.’