Backlash as UFC star Hasbulla filmed punching his pet cat

Footage on social media has emerged

The Russian influencer first rose to fame during the pandemic but has angered his fans after an old video of him with his cat, Barsik, resurfaced.

Magomedov, who recently became an ambassador of the UFC, is known to be an animal lover and has been pictured with several pets throughout his time as an influencer.

But the 20-year-old's latest video has appeared to go a step too far after he appeared to look overly aggressive with his cat and looked to be punching the pet, as well as pulling on the ear of Barsik.

Many criticised Hasbulla online with one person saying: "Hasbulla mistreating his cat, disgusting."

Another tweeted: "This is offensive and needs taking down. Anyone defending it has different values to a real person. RSPCA needs a look. Weird."

"This is the infamous Barsik, Hasbulla’s cat. He has stated that he loves this animal. Imagine what he would do if he hated Barsik? Abusing animals is the worst. We need to come together as a team and rescue Barsik from the evil and tiny hands of Hasbulla. #freebarsik."

Hasbulla is yet to respond to the widespread backlash.

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