Shaquille O’Neal says Hasbulla ‘almost knocked me out’ after meeting in Australia

Hasbulla, who is known for having a spicy and very short temper, was seen tapping Shaq on the shoulder before swinging is arm and body back to land a mighty punch right on the athlete's face.

"Hasbulla almost knocked me," the Basketball Hall of Famer wrote on social media.

The surprise punch comes after the Russian personality told his followers he was going to fight the former Los Angeles Lakers star on social media.

And it seems he is a man that keeps his word. Respect.

That also didn't stop the tiny yet fierce internet sensation to keep ribbing Shaq online.

"Australia has been great," he wrote. "Shaq isn’t even that tall."

As well as meeting with Hasbulla, Shaq used his time Down Under to lend his support to the campaign for an Indigenous voice to parliament at the weekend.

He met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney on Saturday (August 27).

O’Neal’s support will form part of a broader strategy to engage people in the lead-up to a referendum on enshrining an Indigenous voice in the constitution.

"Shaq has agreed to do some (videos) and to have a chat about the importance of bringing people together, and that’s really what the voice to parliament and constitutional recognition is about," Mr Albanese said.

"He is a global figure, he’s a big figure in all ways."

After meeting the PM and Hasbulla, Shaq has now left Australia.

We can only assume the man, previously labelled the best basketballer of all time, fled amid fears Hasbulla would attack again.

"I’m gonna miss you Australia," he wrote on Twitter, while wearing what appears to be a Crocodile Dundee replica hat.