Shamil Gaziev

Shamil Hasbulatovich Gaziev (born February 10, 1990) is a Russian and Bahraini professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2020, Gaziev earned his UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series, winning by first round submission.

Mixed martial arts career Early career In 2017, Gaziev was recruited by his childhood friend Eldar Eldarov to move from Dagestan to Bahrain and train with KHK MMA.

Gaziev acquired a record of 7–0 competing exclusively on the Russian and Belarusian regional circuit, winning all seven fights by stoppage inside two rounds.

Gaziev faced fellow undefeated prospect Kirill Kornilov at Ares FC 7 in Paris, France. He won the fight via split decision.

BRAVE CF Gaziev then competed under the Brave Combat Federation banner, first competing at Brave CF 65 against Pavel Dailidko on October 28, 2022. He won the fight via second round knockout.

Gaziev next competed against UFC veteran Darko Stošić in the co-main event of Brave CF 69 on February 18, 2023. He won the fight via first round technical knockout.

Dana White's Contender Series Gaziev was then booked to compete on Week 7 of Season 7 of Dana White's Contender Series on September 19, 2023, against fellow undefeated prospect Greg Velasco. He won the fight via first round submission and was awarded a contract by Dana White.

Ultimate Fighting Championship After earning his contract, Gaziev made his UFC debut at UFC 296 against Martin Buday on December 16, 2023. He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round. This would earn Gaziev Performance of the Night.

Gaziev was booked for his first UFC main event opposite Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC Fight Night 238 on March 2, 2024. He suffered the first professional loss of his career after retiring from his corner at the end of the fourth round.

Gaziev faced Don'Tale Mayes at UFC on ABC 7 on August 3, 2024. Gaziev rebounded from his first career loss, winning a unanimous decision.

Gaziev faced Thomas Petersen at UFC Fight Night 250 on February 1, 2025. He won the fight by technical knockout in the first round.

Gaziev was scheduled to face Serghei Spivac on May 17, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 256. However, for unknown reasons, their bout was moved to UFC 316 which was set to take place on June 7, 2025. However, Gaziev pulled out due to a broken finger sustained during training and was replaced by Waldo Cortes-Acosta.

The bout between Gaziev and Spivac has been re-scheduled to take place on November 22, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 265. However, Spivac withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons and was replaced by Waldo Cortes-Acosta. Gaziev lost the fight by knockout in the first round.

Gaziev faced Brando Peričić on May 2, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 275. He lost the fight via knockout in round two. The bout earned both fighters the Fight of the Night award.

Gaziev faced Kennedy Nzechukwu on August 22, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 285. He won the fight via knockout in round one.

Personal life Gaziev currently resides in Manama, Bahrain, where he trains with the KHK MMA Team. Gaziev represents Bahrain in his professional career, making him the first fighter to represent the nation in the UFC.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Martin Buday Fight of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Kennedy Nzechukwu KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Rodrigues

Sacramento, California, United States Loss

Brando Peričić KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Perth, Australia Loss

Waldo Cortes-Acosta KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker

Al Rayyan, Qatar Win

Thomas Petersen TKO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Win

Don'Tale Mayes Decision (unanimous) UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Jairzinho Rozenstruik TKO (retirement) UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Martin Buday TKO (punches) UFC 296

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Greg Velasco Submission (rear-naked choke) Dana White's Contender Series 63

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Darko Stošić TKO (punches) Brave CF 69

Belgrade, Serbia Win

Pavel Dailidko KO (punches) Brave CF 65

Isa Town, Bahrain Win

Kirill Kornilov Decision (split) Ares 7

Paris, France Win

Aleksandr Kolomytsev Submission (rear-naked choke) ProFC 70

Rostov-on-Don, Russia Win

Grigoriy Ponomarev TKO (knees and punches) AMC Fight Nights 104

Sochi, Russia Win

Murad Adyrbaev Submission (rear-naked choke) Belarusian FC: Contender Series 7

Minsk, Belarus Win

Alexey Druzhinin TKO (punches) MMA Series 29

Minsk, Belarus Win

Vladislav Kozlovskiy TKO (punches) Belarusian FC 66

Minsk, Belarus Win

Artur Bunkov TKO (punches) MMA Series 22

Kaliningrad, Russia Win

Denis Gvozdev TKO (punches) Belarusian FC 63

Minsk, Belarus