Shamil Hasbulatovich Gaziev Bio
Shamil Hasbulatovich Gaziev (born February 10, 1990) is a Russian and Bahraini professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2020, Gaziev has built an impressive record and earned his UFC contract through a first-round submission victory on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Early Life and Background
Born in Khunzakh, Dagestan ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, Gaziev has developed into a significant presence in international MMA. He currently resides in Manama, Bahrain, where he trains with the KHK MMA Team. His training base in Bahrain has positioned him as the first fighter to represent the nation in the UFC.
Path to Mixed Martial Arts
Gaziev began his professional career in 2020, quickly establishing himself on the Russian and Belarusian regional circuit. During this early stage of his career, he compiled an impressive record of 7-0, winning all seven fights by stoppage inside two rounds. This undefeated regional performance caught the attention of larger organizations and set the stage for his advancement to higher levels of competition.
Shamil Hasbulatovich Gaziev Career
Early Career (2020-2023)
Gaziev’s professional career began with remarkable success on regional circuits, maintaining a perfect record of 7-0 with all victories coming via stoppage within the first two rounds. His performance on the regional scene led to an opportunity with Ares FC 7 in Paris, France, where he faced fellow undefeated prospect Kirill Kornilov. Despite being the underdog in this matchup, Gaziev secured a split decision victory, further enhancing his reputation as a rising heavyweight prospect.
Dana White’s Contender Series Breakthrough (2023)
Gaziev’s standout regional performances earned him a spot on Week 7 of Season 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series on September 19, 2023. He faced fellow undefeated prospect Greg Velasco in what proved to be a career-defining opportunity. Gaziev demonstrated his submission skills by securing a first-round victory via submission, which impressed UFC President Dana White enough to award him a contract with the organization. This victory marked the culmination of his regional circuit success and his transition to the world’s premier MMA organization.
KHK MMA Team Era (2023-Present)
After securing his UFC contract, Gaziev made his promotional debut at UFC 296 against Martin Buday on December 16, 2023. He showcased his well-rounded skills by securing a technical knockout victory in the second round, a performance that earned him Performance of the Night honors. This impressive debut established him as a heavyweight to watch in the division. Gaziev then earned his first UFC main event opportunity opposite Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC Fight Night 238 on March 2, 2024. Despite high expectations, he suffered the first professional loss of his career when his corner retired him at the end of the fourth round. However, Gaziev rebounded strongly, securing a unanimous decision victory over Don’Tale Mayes at UFC on ABC 8 on August 3, 2024, demonstrating his resilience as a fighter.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gaziev possesses a well-rounded skill set with particular strengths in his finishing ability. His regional circuit success demonstrated his capacity to secure stoppage victories quickly, while his UFC performances have highlighted his versatility as both a knockout artist and submission specialist. His partnership with the KHK MMA Team has helped him develop strategic approaches that have proven effective against varying styles of competition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gaziev’s career has been marked by several significant milestones, including his perfect regional record, his Contender Series victory that earned him UFC contract, and his debut Performance of the Night award. His transition to representing Bahrain in the UFC made history as he became the first fighter from that nation to compete in the organization, adding an international dimension to his career achievements.
Shamil Hasbulatovich Gaziev Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Gaziev has compiled an impressive record of 14 wins in 16 professional fights, with 12 of those victories coming via stoppage. His win distribution includes three submissions, two knockouts, and two decisions, demonstrating his ability to finish opponents through various methods. This diverse finishing ability has become a hallmark of his fighting style and has contributed to his rapid rise in the sport.
UFC Highlights
In his UFC career, Gaziev has secured significant victories against notable opponents. His debut performance against Martin Buday resulted in a technical knockout victory and earned him Performance of the Night honors. He has also secured important wins against Don’Tale Mayes via unanimous decision and Thomas Petersen via technical knockout. His victory over Petersen at UFC Fight Night 250 on February 1, 2025, demonstrated his continued development and ability to compete at the highest level of the sport.
Other Wins & Performances
Prior to joining the UFC, Gaziev established himself as a dominant force on regional circuits. His record of 7-0 on the Russian and Belarusian circuit was particularly impressive, as all seven victories came via stoppage within the first two rounds. He also secured a notable victory against fellow undefeated prospect Kirill Kornilov at Ares FC 7 in Paris, France, via split decision, showcasing his ability to perform on international stages even before his UFC debut.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| UFC | 3 | – | – |
| Regional Circuit | 11 | – | – |
Shamil Hasbulatovich Gaziev Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Information about Gaziev’s family background and potential martial arts lineage is not publicly available in the sources provided. What is known is his dual Russian and Bahraini nationality, which has influenced his career path and representation in international competition.
Personal Life
Gaziev currently resides in Manama, Bahrain, where he trains with the KHK MMA Team. His decision to train and compete under the Bahraini flag has made him a pioneer for MMA in that country, as he became the first fighter from Bahrain to compete in the UFC. This dual representation reflects his connection to both his Russian heritage and his adopted home of Bahrain.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has presented both challenges and opportunities for Gaziev. He began the year with a decisive victory over Thomas Petersen at UFC Fight Night 250 on February 1, 2025, securing a technical knockout in the first round. Following this win, Gaziev was scheduled to face Serghei Spivac at UFC Fight Night 256 on May 17, 2025, though the bout was later moved to UFC 316 on June 7, 2025. Unfortunately, Gaziev was forced to withdraw from this match due to a broken finger sustained during training. The bout was rescheduled for November 22, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 265, but with Spivac replaced by Waldo Cortes-Acosta. In this bout, Gaziev suffered a first-round knockout loss, marking his second defeat in his professional career. Despite this setback, his 2025 performance includes both impressive victories and challenging moments that will contribute to his development as a UFC heavyweight contender.