Shamil Gaziev claims he weighed 140 kilograms at the start of his training camp and has since reduced his weight to 119.85 kilograms, according to a photo he posted. The report provides confirmation of the heavyweight's weight-cutting process ahead of UFC Perth. No additional context about his preparation or fight details is provided in the brief post.
Shamil Gaziev has shared a photo documenting a significant body-weight reduction during his training camp ahead of UFC Perth, revealing he dropped from 140 kilograms down to 119.85 kilograms in preparation for his upcoming bout.
Gaziev, 36, competes in the heavyweight division and is ranked eleventh in the UFC standings. The Bahrain-based fighter, who trains out of KHK MMA, stands six-foot-four with a 78-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance. He carries a professional record of 14-3-0 and has built his reputation as a striker, landing 2.62 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy. He also adds a modest wrestling dimension to his game, averaging 0.93 takedowns per 15 minutes.
The weight drop of just over 20 kilograms in a single camp is a notable data point for a heavyweight, a division that carries no upper weight limit. Most heavyweights focus on conditioning rather than traditional weight cutting, making Gaziev's public disclosure of his starting and current figures an unusual look at his off-camp versus in-camp body composition.
Why it matters
- A leaner Gaziev could indicate improved conditioning heading into UFC Perth, potentially affecting his endurance in later rounds.
- At 119.85 kg, he remains well within the 120.2-kilogram heavyweight limit, suggesting the cut was about fitness rather than making weight.
- His striking-first style combined with improved conditioning could make him a more dangerous threat in the division's top ten.
