Sajad Gharibi confesses heavy steroid use was the catalyst behind his massive 170-kilogram physique that brought him global internet fame in 2017.
In an exclusive interview with World Boxing News (WBN), Sajad Gharibi confessed that his “tank” appearance during his social media peak was a mistake, citing the performance-enhancing substances as the reason for his formerly mammoth build.
Iranian Hulk admits to heavy steroid use during 2017 peak
This admission marks a total reversal for the Iranian powerlifter, who in April 2022 told Iranian TV that he was “ready to do a blood test” to prove he had never used steroids.
The revelation provides a stark context for the physical decline that preceded his brief and unsuccessful foray into boxing. Sajad Gharibi explained that by the time he reached 2022, his body had undergone a drastic transformation.
He reportedly lost approximately 45 kilograms of weight and saw nearly all his muscle mass vanish long before he stepped into the ring.
While he once claimed his weight loss was due to gym closures during the pandemic, he now points toward the fallout from his previous physical choices as a primary factor in his condition.
For years, spectators and rivals questioned the legitimacy of the “Iranian Hulk” persona, with many alleging the use of photo editing software or “smoke and mirrors” to exaggerate his frame.
These suspicions intensified when Sajad Gharibi met Martyn Ford, known as “The World’s Scariest Man,” for a face-off in Dubai ahead of a planned bout in London.
Sajad Gharibi appeared significantly smaller than his Instagram images suggested, leading Martyn Ford to pull out of the fight citing concerns over the Iranian’s mental well-being and a high “health and safety risk.”
Sajad Gharibi now clarifies that while his images may have been questioned, a 170-kilogram version of himself did exist years ago, fueled by chemical assistance. “My body looked like a tank because of the heavy steroid use in 2017,” Sajad Gharibi told WBN Editor-in-Chief Phil Jay.
He admitted that he weighed 170 kilograms at the time but considers the era a “mistake.” By 2022, the consequences of that lifestyle began to manifest, leaving his body failing just as he attempted to pivot toward professional combat sports.
The toll of physical decline on his boxing debut
The discrepancy between his viral image and his real-life ability was laid bare in July 2022 when Sajad Gharibi faced Djumanov Almat Bakhytovich, known as the “Kazakh Titan.” The boxing match lasted less than two minutes, with Sajad Gharibi suffering a first-round TKO loss.
Looking back, the Iranian athlete revealed he was battling a serious illness during that period that made even simple exercises impossible. He entered the ring believing defeat was inevitable because his body simply could not respond.
Sajad Gharibi admitted that boxing was suggested by his former manager, but the sport was a poor fit for his specific physical attributes. He noted that boxing carries “a lot of limitations” because it prevented him from fully utilizing his strength.
While technical skill is the bedrock of the sport, much like how women’s boxing is entering a new golden era through genuine athletic development, Sajad Gharibi found his raw power nullified in the ring.
Future in MMA despite past controversies
Despite the public fallout from his steroid admission and his poor showing in the ring, Sajad Gharibi is not abandoning combat sports. He told WBN that his true passion is Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and that he is currently preparing for a transition to that discipline.
He believes the cage will allow him to better use the powerlifting strength that initially defined his career before his muscle mass wasted away.
The transition to MMA represents a last-ditch effort to salvage a professional fighting career. While high-level boxing continues to focus on legitimate contenders—with fans still awaiting news on whether Fury and Joshua have signed contracts for their long-awaited bout—Sajad Gharibi currently occupies the fringe “spectacle” side of the industry.
His ability to compete in MMA will likely depend on whether his health has sufficiently recovered from the illnesses and substance-use consequences he described.
Impact on the “Iranian Hulk” brand and social media
The admission marks the end of the mystery surrounding the man once called the “Persian Hercules.” At his peak, Sajad Gharibi claimed to be 6 feet 2 inches tall and nearly 400 pounds, even offering to join the fight against ISIS in Syria in 2016.
However, the reality was a physique that he now admits was “chemically built” and subsequently impossible to maintain. Most of the images that helped him amass millions of followers have since been removed from his social media accounts.
By finally acknowledging the “heavy steroid use,” Sajad Gharibi is effectively distancing himself from the curated persona he spent years defending. Whether this honesty will help him rebuild his reputation is unclear.
In a world where technical eliminators like Gualtieri vs Jones define the professional standard, the Iranian Hulk serves as a cautionary tale for those chasing social media fame through artificial means.
For now, he remains focused on a future in MMA, though his legacy is currently defined more by his 2017 admission than his 2022 performance.
