Shamil Gaziev confirmed he weighed 140 kilograms before starting his training camp. He has been on a strict diet for the past six weeks in preparation for his heavyweight bout. According to his social media post, Gaziev currently weighs 119 kilograms, well below the 120kg heavyweight limit, indicating he will have no issues making weight. This clarifies earlier concerns about his weight management, as he was referring to his off-season weight rather than his fighting condition.
Shamil Gaziev has moved to put weight concerns to rest, confirming via social media that the 140 kilograms he referenced was his off-season figure rather than any indication of trouble making the heavyweight limit for his upcoming bout.
The 36-year-old Bahrain-based fighter, who trains out of KHK MMA, posted that six weeks into his training camp he already sits at 119 kilograms, comfortably under the 120-kilogram heavyweight ceiling. The update clarifies what had appeared to some observers as a worrying number, revealing it simply reflected how heavy Gaziev was before serious preparation began.
Gaziev carries a professional record of 14 wins and 3 losses and is currently ranked eleventh in the UFC heavyweight division. Standing six-foot-four with a 78-inch reach, he is a physically imposing presence in a division already filled with large athletes. His striking output of 2.62 significant strikes landed per minute, combined with a 47 percent striking accuracy, reflects a measured and efficient approach on the feet, while he also mixes in nearly one takedown attempt per 15 minutes to keep opponents guessing.
Why it matters
- Gaziev's weight update removes uncertainty around his ability to compete at heavyweight without a difficult cut
- At 119 kilograms with camp still ongoing, he has a small buffer beneath the 120-kilogram limit
- His rank of eleventh in the division means a strong performance could push him further into contention among the heavyweight elite
