Discover the rise of Bahrain in the MMA world, from establishing an amateur system to producing UFC fighters. Learn about Shamil Gaziev, an undefeated heavyweight prospect, and his journey to the UFC Octagon. Don’t miss his upcoming main event fight against Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC APEX.
| Shamil Gaziev, an undefeated heavyweight prospect, represents Bahrain in the MMA world.
| Bahrain has established itself as a leader in the Persian Gulf region for MMA.
| Gaziev had a successful amateur career before turning pro in 2020.
| He made a strong debut on Dana White’s Contender Series and followed it up with an impressive UFC debut.
| Gaziev is set to face Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the main event of the upcoming UFC APEX event.
| A victory in this fight will solidify Gaziev’s position as one of the top talents in the UFC heavyweight division.
Bahrain has emerged as a powerhouse in the mixed martial arts (MMA) landscape, with the Kingdom quickly establishing itself as a leader in the Persian Gulf region. Through the establishment of the KHK Fight Team and the development of an amateur system to cultivate talent, Bahrain has been building towards becoming a force to be reckoned with in the sport. Now, fighters developed through this infrastructure are making their mark on the biggest stages, including the UFC Octagon.
One such fighter is Shamil Gaziev, an undefeated heavyweight prospect from Dagestan. Gaziev was invited to train in Bahrain by his childhood friend Eldar, who became the head coach of the Bahrain national MMA team. Impressed by the atmosphere and the friendly people, Gaziev decided to represent Bahrain in the IMMAF amateur world championships in 2018. He had a successful amateur career, amassing a record of 7-2 with multiple regional titles, before turning pro in 2020.
Gaziev’s professional career has been equally impressive, with a perfect 10-0 record. He made his debut on Dana White’s Contender Series, where he secured a first-round victory with a quick submission. His UFC debut was even more impressive, as he defeated Martin Buday, who entered the fight on a 12-fight winning streak. Gaziev dominated the fight with his striking and finished Buday in the second round.
Now, Gaziev is set to face Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the main event of the upcoming UFC APEX event. Rozenstruik, a kickboxer from Suriname, is a tough and experienced opponent. Gaziev sees this fight as an opportunity to prove himself and jump into the rankings. He has been preparing rigorously for this fight, doing five rounds of sparring twice a week.
This matchup between Gaziev and Rozenstruik is a testament to Gaziev’s rapid rise in the UFC. Despite being relatively new to the promotion, Gaziev’s skills and potential have earned him a spot in the main event. A victory in this fight will solidify his position as one of the top talents in the UFC heavyweight division.
Don’t miss the action as Shamil Gaziev takes on Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. The prelims start at 1pm ET/10am PT, with the main card kicking off at 4pm ET/1pm PT.
