Heavyweight contender Shamil Gaziev revealed in an interview with Jaydon Cable that he currently weighs 140 kilograms. He needs to cut 20 kilograms before the weigh-ins for UFC Perth. The weight cut represents a significant challenge as he prepares for his upcoming bout. Gaziev will need to manage this substantial weight reduction while maintaining his strength and conditioning. The post prompted mixed reactions from fans regarding whether the weight cut is manageable or concerning.
Heavyweight contender Shamil Gaziev has revealed he is currently sitting at 140 kilograms, meaning he faces a 20-kilogram cut before the weigh-ins at UFC Perth. The disclosure came during an interview with Jaydon Cable and quickly drew a wave of reaction from fans debating whether such a reduction is manageable at this level of competition.
Gaziev, 36, represents Bahrain and trains out of KHK MMA. Ranked 11th in the UFC heavyweight division, he carries a professional record of 14-3-0. Standing six-foot-four with a 78-inch reach, he is a physical specimen even by heavyweight standards, and his orthodox striking game produces 2.62 significant strikes landed per minute at 47 percent accuracy. He also adds a modest grappling threat, averaging 0.93 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- A 20-kilogram cut is an unusually large reduction for a fighter already competing in the UFC's heaviest open division, where the limit sits at 265 pounds (roughly 120 kg), making the logistics notably demanding.
- How Gaziev manages the cut could directly affect his performance and conditioning on fight night, given the physical toll such a reduction places on a 36-year-old athlete.
- At rank 11 in the division, Gaziev is within striking distance of the top ten, and any slip in performance tied to weight management could stall his upward trajectory.
- Fan reaction has been mixed, reflecting broader concerns about weight-cutting practices among heavyweights competing at the highest level.
