Russian heavyweight Shamil Gaziev confirmed he weighed 140 kilograms before beginning his training camp for UFC Perth. He addressed critics who believe heavyweights don't cut weight, stating he has been on a strict diet for the past six weeks. According to his social media post, Gaziev now weighs 119 kilograms and expects no issues making the heavyweight limit at weigh-ins. The post clarifies that his previous statements about weight referred to his off-season condition, not fight week. Gaziev's revelation highlights the significant weight management even heavyweights must undertake during camp preparation.
Russian heavyweight Shamil Gaziev has revealed he weighed 140 kilograms heading into his training camp for UFC Perth, confirming the substantial weight management demands that heavyweights face even at the sport's highest level.
Gaziev, who competes out of KHK MMA and is ranked eleventh in the UFC heavyweight division, shared the disclosure via social media, directly addressing critics who assume fighters at heavyweight do not cut weight. The 36-year-old from Bahrain, who stands six-foot-four with a 78-inch reach, clarified that the 140-kilogram figure reflected his off-season condition rather than any fight-week measurement. After six weeks on a strict diet, he reported coming down to 119 kilograms and expressed confidence that reaching the heavyweight limit at the official weigh-in would present no problems.
The revelation adds some nuance to the broader conversation around heavyweight athletes and body composition. Even at the top end of mixed martial arts competition, where the upper weight limit sits at 265 pounds, fighters still undertake significant dietary discipline during camp preparation.
Gaziev carries a professional record of 14 wins and 3 losses and brings a measured but damaging striking game, averaging 2.62 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy. He also contributes on the grappling side, registering 0.93 takedowns per fifteen minutes.
Why it matters
- Gaziev sits at number eleven in the UFC heavyweight rankings, meaning a strong performance at UFC Perth could push him toward title contention.
- His camp weight of 140 kilograms dropping to 119 kilograms illustrates that heavyweight athletes face meaningful body-composition challenges, countering the assumption that no weight management occurs at the division's upper limit.
- A fighter of his physical profile — six-foot-four, 198-centimetre reach, orthodox stance — arriving at optimal weight could have a pronounced impact on his performance inside the octagon.
