Heavyweight contender Shamil Gaziev revealed in an interview with Jaidon Cable that he currently weighs 140 kilograms. The fighter needs to cut 20 kilograms before the weigh-ins for UFC Perth. This significant weight cut has raised concerns among fans about whether Gaziev will be able to make the heavyweight limit safely and effectively. The post sparked debate in the community about the severity of the cut. Gaziev's ability to reduce his weight in time for the event remains a topic of discussion.
Heavyweight contender Shamil Gaziev has disclosed that he currently sits at 140 kilograms as he prepares for UFC Perth, meaning he faces a 20-kilogram cut before weigh-ins. The Bahrain-based fighter made the revelation in an interview with Jaidon Cable, and the disclosure has since sparked significant debate among fans about whether such a reduction can be completed safely and on schedule.
Gaziev, 36, carries a professional record of 14-3-0 and is ranked eleventh in the UFC heavyweight division. Fighting out of KHK MMA in an orthodox stance, the six-foot-four, 193-centimetre fighter possesses a 78-inch reach that gives him a considerable physical presence in the cage. He lands 2.62 significant strikes per minute at a 47 percent accuracy rate, and while his ground output is modest — under one takedown per 15 minutes — he remains a credible threat in the division.
The heavyweight limit sits at 265 pounds, or approximately 120 kilograms, making this a substantial reduction by any standard at the elite level. Cuts of this magnitude over a compressed timeline draw scrutiny even in lower weight classes, and the heavyweight division, where athletes are already operating at the upper ceiling of combat sport size, offers little precedent for drops of 20 kilograms as routine preparation.
Why it matters
- A 20-kilogram cut represents roughly 14 percent of Gaziev's current body weight, an unusually large reduction for a heavyweight
- His standing as the number-eleven ranked heavyweight means a strong performance at UFC Perth could push him further up a division already crowded with contenders
- Fan and community discussion around weight-cut safety could draw broader attention to the event ahead of fight week
