Shamil Gaziev

Overview

Shamil Gaziev's seven UFC fights have produced three knockout wins and three knockout losses, and all six of those finishes happened inside four rounds. The seventh was a decision win. The Bahrain-representing heavyweight from Khunzakh, Dagestan, stands 4-3 in the UFC, with a 15-3-0 professional record across all promotions.

He doesn't do slow. Fights involving Gaziev end early or they end badly.

UFC Career

Gaziev's path to the UFC ran through Dana White's Contender Series, where he beat Greg Velasco by first-round submission. That fight isn't part of his UFC record. His UFC debut at UFC 296 was a knockout of Martin Buday in the second round, at 0:56.

His first test came in a five-round main event against Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and he lost by KO/TKO at the end of round four. A decision win over Don'Tale Mayes followed, then a first-round stoppage of Thomas Petersen in 3:12. That is his longest win streak, at two.

The next stretch went the other way. Waldo Cortes Acosta knocked him out in 1:22 of round one, and Brando Peričić did the same in round two. He answered by stopping Kennedy Nzechukwu in 1:20 of round one, so he carries a one-fight win streak into his next bout.

Two of his three UFC losses came against opponents our model rates as strong. Two of his four wins are first-round finishes.

Fighting Style

The career numbers describe a heavyweight who lands and absorbs more than most. His strikes landed per minute are below the UFC average, but his strikes absorbed are worse too, and his striking defense sits on the wrong side of the average. Accuracy is about average.

Where he stands out is on the mat. He rarely shoots for takedowns and attempts very few submissions, yet he is hard to take down. That fits a fighter who wants to stay standing, and the results agree: all three UFC finishes came by KO/TKO, none by submission.

Notable Wins

• Martin Buday — KO/TKO, round 2, UFC 296 (2023)
• Thomas Petersen — KO/TKO, round 1, UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs Imavov (2025)
• Kennedy Nzechukwu — KO/TKO, round 1, UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Rodrigues (2026)

Quick Facts

• Division: Heavyweight
• UFC record: 4-3
• Professional record (all promotions): 15-3-0
• UFC debut: December 2023
• Stance: Orthodox
• Height / reach: 6'4" / 78.5"
• Team: KHK Team
• Born: Khunzakh, Dagestan, Russia (fights for Bahrain)