Shamil Gaziev revealed he weighed 140 kilograms before beginning his training camp for his upcoming heavyweight bout. The Russian heavyweight addressed speculation about weight management in the division, confirming he spent the last six weeks on a strict diet. According to his social media posts, Gaziev has successfully cut down to 119 kilograms and expects no issues at the weigh-in. He had previously discussed his out-of-camp weight in a recent interview, clarifying the context of his fluctuating weight numbers.
Shamil Gaziev has offered a candid look at his physical preparation ahead of his upcoming heavyweight bout at UFC Perth, revealing a dramatic body-weight swing that has drawn attention in the lead-up to fight week.
The Russian-born fighter, who competes out of Bahrain under the KHK MMA banner, disclosed on social media that he weighed 140 kilograms before beginning his training camp. After six weeks on a strict diet, Gaziev says he has brought that figure down to 119 kilograms and is not anticipating any problems at the official weigh-in. He had also addressed the topic in a recent interview, providing context around the fluctuating numbers that had sparked speculation.
Gaziev enters the bout ranked eleventh in the UFC heavyweight division and carries a professional record of 14 wins and 3 losses. The 36-year-old stands six-foot-four with a 78-inch reach, giving him the frame typical of a natural heavyweight. Inside the octagon he averages 2.62 significant strikes landed per minute at a 47 percent accuracy rate, and adds a modest but present grappling dimension, averaging 0.93 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- A 21-kilogram weight drop over six weeks raises legitimate questions about how Gaziev arrives at fight night in terms of conditioning and recovery.
- At rank eleven in the heavyweight division, a strong performance in Perth could push him closer to the top ten and into title contention conversations.
- His size — 193 cm, 198 cm reach — combined with active striking output makes weight and energy levels central to how his style translates on the night.
