At 6’5” and 250lbs, 33-year-old Faysal Shafaat – better known as Fessy – is a physically imposing character.
The Orlando native has spent years competing on some of America’s biggest stages, and now he’s bringing that experience to the Gladiators Arena as ‘Mayhem’.
1) He played Division I College Football
Before he became a celeb, Mayhem was named first-team all-state in high school.
He then went on to become a Division I college football player at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he also earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
2) He’s a Former Big Brother Contestant
Like fellow Gladiator Jessie ‘Steel’ Godderz, Mayhem spent time in the Big Brother house.
Fessy first came to national attention as a contestant on Big Brother season 20. He lasted 72 days before being evicted.
3) He’s an All-Round Reality TV Star
Gladiators isn’t Mayhem’s first foray into competitive TV.
He reached the final of The Challenge on three separate occasions – Total Madness, Double Agents, and The Challenge: USA 2 – while also competing on Spies, Lies & Allies, Ride or Dies, and All Stars: Rivals.
He has also appeared on American Ninja Warrior and competed in SlamBall in 2023, surely making him one of the most battle-hardened Gladiators in the arena.
American Gladiators premieres on 17 April on Prime Video.
SEE ALSO: American Gladiators Reboot: Everything You Need to Know
