Shamil Gaziev: history, height, weight, age, wealth

Brief summary of the article

Details	Information
Name	Shamil Gaziev
Size	6'4″ (193 cm)
Weight	265 lbs (120 kg)
Age	34 years old
Fortune	Estimated but not confirmed

Introduction

Today I'm going to tell you about a guy who carries a lot of weight in the octagon, both literally and figuratively: Shamil Gaziev. This MMA fighter has quickly become a name to watch in the heavyweight division. With his dazzling victories and impressive style, he has everything it takes to become a future champion. But who is Shamil Gaziev really? How did he rise through the ranks of this merciless sport? In this article, we'll take a look at his story, his impressive measurements and his exploits in the UFC. If you want to know why everyone is talking about him, this is the place to find out.

Shamil Gaziev: Who is this fighter?

Shamil Gaziev is the kind of fighter you don't want to bump into in a corridor. Born on 10 February 1990 in Russia, he hails from Dagestan, a region that has already produced some of the biggest names in MMA, such as Khabib Nurmagomedov. So it's no surprise to see him making his way to the top of world MMA. But before he got there, Gaziev wasn't destined for a career as a fighter. Initially, he trained in various sports, including volleyball and sambo, a Russian martial art that is very popular in his country. But he was soon drawn to MMA and decided to make the sport his profession.

What makes Shamil Gaziev unique is his style. He's not just a big strong guy who hit strong; he also has impeccable technique, whether in terms of his striking or his ground game. He's capable of finishing opponents by knockout or submission. And mind you, his stats speak for themselves: in 2023, he had a record of 12-0, an impressive invincibility for a fighter in his category. One of his favourite moves is the Rear Naked Choke, a submission that he has already used on several occasions to finish his fights quickly.

Shamil Gaziev didn't stop there. In addition to his technical skills, he also has a mind of steel. In an interview, he confided that his goal was not simply to win fights, but to become the best fighter in the world. An ambitious dream, to be sure, but when you see the determination with which he trains and fights, you think he has all the cards in his hand to achieve it.

His meteoric rise

Shamil Gaziev's journey to the top has been rapid, and impressive to say the least. But unlike some fighters who jump the gun, Gaziev has taken the time to hone his skills. Even before joining the UFC, he cut his teeth on the amateur circuit. There, he distinguished himself in a number of international tournaments, winning prestigious titles such as the African, Asian and European championships. This experience on the amateur circuit enabled him to acquire a solid technical and mental base, which prepared him for the challenges of professional MMA.

His entry into professional MMA was just as spectacular. Shamil Gaziev made his debut in 2020 at a BFC (Belarusian Fighting Championship) event, where he immediately caused a sensation by winning his fight by first-round TKO. From there, it was one thing after another. He scored victory after victory, with impressive regularity. Between 2020 and 2023, he racked up 12 wins without a single defeat, the majority by KO or submission. What's even more remarkable is the way he finishes his fights: of his 12 victories, 8 have come in the first round. In other words, his opponents often don't have the time to understand what's happening to them.

Shamil Gaziev caught the eye of the UFC, the world's biggest MMA organisation, and was quickly signed. In December 2023, he made his debut in the octagon in a fight against Martin Buday, another big name in the division. And as usual, Gaziev didn't dawdle. He won the fight by TKO in the second round, confirming his status as a rising star in the heavyweight division.

His fighting style

Let's talk a little about Shamil Gaziev's style. What stands out is his versatility. He is equally at ease standing up and on the ground, which makes him particularly difficult to beat. In boxing, he excels thanks to his punching power, capable of knocking out any opponent. But that's not all: he also knows how to defend intelligently, with fearsome precision in his counter-attacks. It's this combination of attack and defence that makes him a complete fighter.

When he fights on the ground, Gaziev relies on his sambo and jiu-jitsu skills to dominate his opponents. He doesn't hesitate to use submission techniques to force his opponents to give up. And even when he finds himself at a disadvantage, he knows how to turn the situation to his advantage thanks to his excellent grappling. In short, Gaziev is a formidable fighter whatever the terrain.

Even more impressive is his ability to maintain constant pressure on his opponents. He gives them no respite, forcing them to make mistakes that he is quick to punish. With such a fighting style, it's not surprising that he has become one of the most feared fighters in his class.

Size, weight and power

When talking about Shamil Gaziev, it's impossible not to mention his impressive stature. At 1.93m and 120kg, he physically dominates most of his opponents. But what's even more frightening is the way he uses that mass to his advantage. Unlike other fighters who may appear slow because of their size, Gaziev is incredibly mobile for a heavyweight. He moves around the octagon with surprising ease, which makes him even more dangerous.

In addition to his size and weight, Gaziev has an impressive 2-metre wingspan, enabling him to hit his opponents from a distance while remaining safe from their attacks. His reach gives him a considerable advantage in stand-up, where he can dictate the pace of the fight with his powerful, precise jabs. What's more, his cardio is remarkable for a fighter of his size. He's able to maintain a high level of intensity throughout his fights, without showing any signs of fatigue, even in the advanced rounds.

Assets and contracts

If you're wondering how much Shamil Gaziev earns, the answer isn't easy. Like many UFC fighters, his earnings aren't always made public. However, it's clear that with his performances in the octagon, he's certainly negotiated some juicy contracts. Add to that the performance bonuses that the UFC offers its fighters for their spectacular victories, and you can imagine that Gaziev is already well paid.

As one of the UFC's top 15 heavyweights, Gaziev is likely to benefit from some interesting sponsorship deals to supplement his income. As he continues to climb the UFC ladder, his earnings will only increase. It's only a matter of time before he becomes one of the richest fighters in the division.

Shamil Gaziev in the UFC

Shamil Gaziev made his UFC debut in December 2023, in a highly anticipated fight against Martin Buday. The latter, a former kickboxing champion, represented a real test for Gaziev, who had to prove that he could live up to expectations. And he didn't disappoint. In less than a minute, he landed a series of powerful blows that forced the referee to stop the fight, giving Gaziev a resounding victory.

Since that first success, Gaziev has become one of the most closely watched fighters in the heavyweight category.

A bright future

Having quickly conquered the UFC with spectacular victories, Shamil Gaziev has no intention of stopping there. He's still young for a heavyweight fighter, at 34, and the path to the top of the division is wide open. With his invincibility intact and his impressive performances, he is heading straight for a possible title shot. But Gaziev is smart: he doesn't rush things. He has already expressed in several interviews that he prefers to take the time to hone his skills and take on increasingly tough opponents to really prove that he deserves to be at the top.

An interesting aspect of Gaziev's future is that he's not content with just winning; he wants to dominate. He's not just aiming for the championship belt, but also wants to leave an indelible mark on the history of MMA. And frankly, given his rapid development and impressive skills, it's no exaggeration to say that he could one day be compared to the biggest names in the UFC.

As well as his sporting ambitions, Gaziev also has plans outside the octagon. He has already begun to build a public image, with partnerships and media appearances that show he understands the importance of marketing in modern sport. So we could well see Gaziev getting involved in other areas, whether through investments or even appearances on reality TV or entertainment shows. But for the time being, his focus remains the cage, and that's where he's most formidable.

Conclusion

To sum up, Shamil Gaziev is much more than just an MMA fighter. He's a complete athlete, capable of finishing his fights in a matter of minutes thanks to his power and technique. With his impressive size and versatile game, he has all the weapons needed to become a legend in the octagon. His thunderous UFC debut is just the start of what promises to be a long and glorious career. Whether it's his destructive knockouts or subtle submissions, Gaziev is a name you'll be hearing more and more of in the years to come. So, if you want to follow a fighter who could make MMA history, keep an eye on Shamil Gaziev, because his rise is far from over.

It's not just his physical potential or raw talent. It's also his mentality and his ability to analyse every situation that sets him apart from his rivals. Whatever the opponent, Gaziev adapts and always finds a solution to emerge victorious. And that's probably what makes him so dangerous: he learns and improves after every fight.

Sources : Boxing Wiki

See also : Official veterans' website