By John Coffee , USA TODAY
In the modern landscape of combat sports, the line between “clout-chasing” and real-world consequences has never been thinner. For influencer-turned-boxer Nurideen Shabazz, better known to his millions of followers as Deen the Great, that line didn’t just blur this week—it was completely erased by the lead elbow of a UFC pioneer.
A video currently shattering engagement records across X (formerly Twitter) and Kick captures the moment retired MMA veteran Tiki Ghosn landed a short, devastating strike to the face of Shabazz during a late-night party hosted by former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. The incident, which has been described by witnesses as the culmination of an “intoxicated tirade,” marks the second time in less than 24 hours that Shabazz was physically disciplined by a professional athlete on a live stream.
The Anatomy of the Altercation
The confrontation began when Shabazz approached Ghosn, apparently offended that the veteran fighter did not recognize him. In a world where follower counts often equate to status, Shabazz seemed unable to reconcile his digital fame with Ghosn’s indifference.
“You do know who I am,” Shabazz can be heard saying, his voice rising with a mix of disbelief and aggression. “I don’t know why you’re lying. Don’t act like you don’t know me.”
Ghosn, 49, initially maintained the stoic composure of a man who has spent decades in the cage. “I don’t know you,” Ghosn responded calmly. “Nice to meet you, though.”
However, the civility was short-lived. As Shabazz continued to press, accusing Ghosn of “disrespectful s” for the sake of the women in the room, Ghosn’s tone shifted. “I don’t like your attitude, and I don’t like your fing tone,” Ghosn warned.
The tipping point arrived when Ghosn referenced a separate viral humiliation Shabazz had suffered just a day prior: “Are you the guy that got slapped on video?”
Shabazz, leaning into the provocation, replied: “I did, but I’ll slap the s*** out of you, though. I’ll make you another clip.”
He never got the chance. As Shabazz stepped into Ghosn’s personal space, the former fighter delivered a lightning-fast elbow—an “invisible” strike that dropped the influencer instantly. Despite the force of the blow, Ghosn famously didn’t even spill the drink he was holding in his other hand.
A 48-Hour Fall from Grace
To understand the vitriol behind the Ghosn strike, one must look at the events of the preceding 24 hours. On February 16, Shabazz appeared on a “double-date” stream with Rampage Jackson and professional powerlifter Larry Wheels.
During that broadcast, Shabazz reportedly crossed numerous boundaries with Wheels’ wife, Sheyla. Despite multiple warnings from both Wheels and Jackson to “respect the king,” Shabazz allegedly continued to make inappropriate comments and attempted to touch Sheyla. The situation ended with the 6’1″, 285-pound Wheels delivering a massive open-handed slap that sent the 5’6″ Shabazz stumbling out of the frame.
Instead of a public apology or a moment of reflection, Shabazz doubled down on social media, claiming he was “unbothered.” This bravado appears to have followed him into the party at Rampage Jackson’s house, where he met a man who has been a staple of the Huntington Beach “Bad Boy” era of MMA.
Who is Tiki Ghosn?
For the younger generation of fans who only know Ghosn as the man who “made a clip” out of Deen the Great, his history in the sport is significant. Born in 1977, Ghosn was an original member of Team Punishment, the legendary training camp founded by Tito Ortiz.
Alongside Ortiz and Rob McCullough, Ghosn helped pioneer the aggressive, “ground and pound” style that defined the early 2000s in the UFC. Though his professional record stands at 10-7-1, the numbers don’t tell the full story. Ghosn was managed by Dana White before White became the President of the UFC and has been a central figure in the careers of icons like Michael Bisping and Quinton Jackson.
Ghosn is best known for his UFC 40 war against future champion Robbie Lawler—a fight that ended in a knockout but remains a testament to Ghosn’s willingness to stand in the pocket against the hardest hitters in history. Today, he operates Arsenal Sports Agency, managing elite talent like Dustin Poirier and Aljamain Sterling.
The “Old School” Lesson
The fallout from the video has been polarized but leans heavily in favor of the veteran. Combat sports personalities have been quick to cite the “Mike Tyson Rule”—the idea that social media has made people too comfortable with disrespecting others without the fear of being punched in the face.
While Shabazz attempted to save face after the knockout, posting to X, “Ex UFC fighter elbowing me for the clip knowing I’m intoxicated ight bet,” the combat sports community has largely viewed the incident as a “FAFO” (Fight Around and Find Out) moment.
“Tiki didn’t just hit him; he defended a boundary,” said one former training partner. “In the era Tiki came up in, you didn’t talk like that to a man’s face unless you were ready for the lights to go out. Deen found out that real-world experience beats digital clout every time.”
As of Thursday morning, neither Misfits Boxing nor Shabazz’s management has released a formal statement regarding his conduct over the last two days. Ghosn, true to his veteran status, has remained largely silent, allowing the viral footage to speak for itself.
Would you like me to add a technical breakdown of the “elbow vs. punch” mechanics or perhaps a section on the potential disciplinary actions from Misfits Boxing?
