Shamil Gaziev stopped Kennedy Nzechukwu via KO with a straight right at 1:20 of Round 1 at UFC Sacramento. Earlier prelim finishes saw Chris Padilla submit Nasrat Haqparast via arm-triangle choke in Round 3, Marcio Barbosa TKO Jackson McVey in Round 1, and Shanelle Dyer stop Elise Reed via TKO in Round 3. Stan Dorsainvil also earned a unanimous decision (29-28 x3) over Gauge Young, while Jackson McVey finished Wes Schultz by TKO in Round 1.
Shamil Gaziev made a swift and emphatic statement at UFC Sacramento on August 23, 2026, knocking out Kennedy Nzechukwu with a straight right hand just 1:20 into the first round to headline the preliminary card.
Gaziev, a 36-year-old light heavyweight fighting out of KHK MMA in Bahrain, improves to 14-3-0 with the finish. Standing six-foot-four with a 78-inch reach, the orthodox striker has built a reputation for clean, precise work, connecting at a 47 percent striking accuracy rate throughout his career. The knockout was a showcase of his ability to find shots in tight windows early in fights.
Nzechukwu, nicknamed "African Savage," falls to 14-6-1. The 34-year-old American trains out of Fortis MMA and is one of the longer athletes in the division at six-foot-five with an 83-inch reach. A high-output fighter who averages nearly five significant strikes landed per minute, he was unable to use that volume before Gaziev ended the night early.
Elsewhere on the prelims, Chris Padilla earned a notable submission victory, tapping Nasrat Haqparast via arm-triangle choke in Round 3. The 30-year-old American, nicknamed "Taco" and representing California Mixed Martial Arts, carries a 17-6-1 record and lands strikes at a strong 54 percent accuracy rate, demonstrating well-rounded skills across both phases.
Marcio Barbosa stopped Jackson McVey by TKO in the first round, while Shanelle Dyer earned a third-round TKO over Elise Reed. Stan Dorsainvil picked up a unanimous decision against Gauge Young, with all three judges scoring the bout 29-28 in his favor.
Why it matters
- Gaziev's first-round knockout keeps him firmly in light heavyweight contention discussions
- Nzechukwu suffers his third loss in four outings, complicating his divisional standing
- Padilla's submission win over a veteran lightweight adds momentum to his 2026 campaign
- Multiple finishes across the card signal strong performances from several fighters looking to move up the roster
Jackson McVey vs Wes Schultz
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Shamil Gaziev vs Kennedy Nzechukwu
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