Shamil Gaziev claims he weighed 140 kilograms at the start of his training camp, and according to recent photos, he has now cut down to 119.85 kilograms. This represents a massive weight cut of over 20 kilograms ahead of UFC Perth. Gaziev competes in the heavyweight division, which has a 120 kg limit. The dramatic weight reduction in a short timeframe raises questions about his conditioning and weight management approach. The post includes a hashtag indicating this is related to his upcoming UFC Perth appearance.
Shamil Gaziev revealed he has shed more than 20 kilograms ahead of his appearance at UFC Perth, dropping from 140 kilograms at the start of his training camp down to 119.85 kilograms — just under the heavyweight division's 120-kilogram limit.
Gaziev, 36, fights out of Bahrain under the KHK MMA banner and currently sits ranked 11th in the UFC heavyweight division. The six-foot-four orthodox striker carries a 78-inch reach and holds a professional record of 14 wins and 3 losses. In the octagon he lands 2.62 significant strikes per minute at a 47 percent accuracy rate, and adds a modest ground threat with 0.93 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- A weight drop of over 20 kilograms in a single camp is an unusually large reduction for a heavyweight, where competitors are typically closer to the divisional limit throughout the year.
- Arriving at 119.85 kilograms leaves Gaziev with almost no margin before the 120-kilogram cap, meaning any miscalculation in the final days could cause a weight miss.
- Questions about his conditioning and energy levels heading into fight week are reasonable given the scale of the cut, which could influence how he performs through the later rounds.
- At ranked 11th in the division, Gaziev's result at UFC Perth carries real implications for where he sits in a heavyweight landscape that is perpetually competitive near the top ten.
