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The UK Sun brings word of a recent altercation:

BORAT star Sacha Baron Cohen was beaten up by a passer-by after he tried to play a prank as his alter ego. He approached the man and said: "I like your clothings. Are nice! Please may I buying? I want have sex with it."But the bystander didn't see the joke. He took one look at Cohen and punched him in the face.The funnyman — known for his Borat catchphrase "Jagshemash!" — yelled for help but was slugged again and again. He was rescued by actor pal Hugh Laurie who had been on his way to a New York bar with Cohen.

Certain editors here at Gawker have been resistant to seeing the film because of its massive hype and ludicrous insistence that all press be done in character, but we would have paid full price plus the Fandango service fee to have watched this. Anonymous New Yorker, you're our new hero.

Borat spanked by angry Yank [Sun]

Earlier: Stop Quoting Borat, Or We Will Never Make Sexytime To You Again