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Mayes up next
Gaziev is scheduled to compete against Don'Tale Mayes in a heavyweight fight at UFC Abu Dhabi on Aug. 3, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
After retiring against Jairinzho Rozenstruik for his first UFC main event and loss, Gaziev will look to get back on track a month from now in Abu Dhabi. Before fighting Rozenstruik, Gaziev began his career for the promotion well by defeating Martin Buday at UFC 296.
After retiring against Jairinzho Rozenstruik for his first UFC main event and loss, Gaziev will look to get back on track a month from now in Abu Dhabi. Before fighting Rozenstruik, Gaziev began his career for the promotion well by defeating Martin Buday at UFC 296.
Can't continue in first main event
Gaziev lost to Jair Rozenstruik via TKO (retirement) at 5:00 of Round 4 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
That is almost certainly the beginning and the end of Gaziev's involvement in the main event picture in the UFC. Making just his second appearance for the company on the heels of a second-round knockout win over Martin Buday last December, Gaziev was reasonably effective for about a round before his gas tank totally evaporated and Rozenstruik took over. In Round 4 alone, the significant strikes were 48-2, not in Gaziev's favor. He told his corner he could not continue heading into Round 5, and while he got up as if he was going to fight, referee Marc Goddard took control of the situation and called an end to the proceedings. Gaziev said he could not see, and the bout was immediately called off. Shamil entered with a perfect 12-0 record, including 11 stoppages, but it sure feels as if he was simply beating up overmatched competition on the regional scene prior to his UFC arrival.
That is almost certainly the beginning and the end of Gaziev's involvement in the main event picture in the UFC. Making just his second appearance for the company on the heels of a second-round knockout win over Martin Buday last December, Gaziev was reasonably effective for about a round before his gas tank totally evaporated and Rozenstruik took over. In Round 4 alone, the significant strikes were 48-2, not in Gaziev's favor. He told his corner he could not continue heading into Round 5, and while he got up as if he was going to fight, referee Marc Goddard took control of the situation and called an end to the proceedings. Gaziev said he could not see, and the bout was immediately called off. Shamil entered with a perfect 12-0 record, including 11 stoppages, but it sure feels as if he was simply beating up overmatched competition on the regional scene prior to his UFC arrival.
Rolls in UFC debut
Gaziev defeated Martin Buday via TKO (punches) at 0:56 of Round 2 at UFC 296 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Gaziev earned his UFC opportunity with a first-round submission win on Dana White's Contender Series in mid-September. He earned the reputation on the regional scene of being a fast starter with highly questionable cardio. The first part held true in his company debut, as routed an overmatched Buday from bell-to-bell. Gaziev fired off plenty of volume and never gave his opponent a chance to get settled. The cardio issues will remain until he is forced to fight for well more than five minutes, but this was an excellent start to his UFC run. He'll also take home a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts here.
Gaziev earned his UFC opportunity with a first-round submission win on Dana White's Contender Series in mid-September. He earned the reputation on the regional scene of being a fast starter with highly questionable cardio. The first part held true in his company debut, as routed an overmatched Buday from bell-to-bell. Gaziev fired off plenty of volume and never gave his opponent a chance to get settled. The cardio issues will remain until he is forced to fight for well more than five minutes, but this was an excellent start to his UFC run. He'll also take home a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts here.
UFC debut scheduled
Gaziev will compete against Martin Buday in a heavyweight fight at UFC 296 in Paradise on Dec. 16, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Gaziev will look to have both earned a UFC contract and his first win for the promotion all in one fell swoop across late-2023. Buday has a perfect record in the UFC across four fights.
Gaziev will look to have both earned a UFC contract and his first win for the promotion all in one fell swoop across late-2023. Buday has a perfect record in the UFC across four fights.
Works quickly, earns contract
Gaziev defeated Greg Velasco via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:38 of Round 1 at Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. After the show, he was one of four fighters to be awarded an official UFC contract.
ANALYSIS
Gaziev dropped his opponent with the first punch he threw after the referee gave the signal to begin. While a bit of over-anxiousness led to the Russian fighter giving up his back, he never panicked and took back dominant position in short order. Gaziev certainly won't be the first Russian heavyweight with power and an ability to grapple, but his professional record is buttressed by a 9-2 record on the regional scene, making him quite experienced at a relatively young age. It will be interesting to see if that seasoning will work to his advantage as he looks to make his way to the top 15.
Gaziev dropped his opponent with the first punch he threw after the referee gave the signal to begin. While a bit of over-anxiousness led to the Russian fighter giving up his back, he never panicked and took back dominant position in short order. Gaziev certainly won't be the first Russian heavyweight with power and an ability to grapple, but his professional record is buttressed by a 9-2 record on the regional scene, making him quite experienced at a relatively young age. It will be interesting to see if that seasoning will work to his advantage as he looks to make his way to the top 15.