Another heavyweight of ours will destroy the UFC! Gaziev strangled an American and received a contract.
Sergey Sorokin September 20, 2023, 09:30 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Shamil surprised Dana White with another magnificent finish.
On the night of September 19-20, the Dana White’s Contender Series 63 tournament took place. The UFC continues to look for talented fighters to go through the selection process. The main fight was of particular interest to Russian mixed martial arts fans. Our compatriot Shamil Gaziev received the strong American Greg Velasco as an opponent.
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The Russian has not suffered a single defeat in his professional career: 10-0. Shamil knocked out his opponents seven times and finished by submission twice. And he only once came to a judge’s decision. In his previous fight, Gaziev defeated former UFC fighter and KSW title challenger Darko Stosic in the Brave CF tournament. But the rival was a strong American nicknamed the Viking King. Velasco was 6-0 and looking to land a contract with the best promotion on the planet.
From the beginning of the fight, Gaziev took the initiative and began attacking his opponent with powerful blows. At that moment it seemed that Shamil was aiming exclusively for the knockout. He quickly caught the distance and reached for Greg’s head. And halfway through the round the opponents found themselves on the canvas. This became a fatal mistake for the American.
Shamil playfully walked behind Velasco and placed a chokehold around the neck. It was immediately noticeable that the Russian managed to get his hands through, so what happened next was just a matter of technique. Gaziev grabbed his opponent and began to mercilessly close the lock. Greg understood perfectly that a contract with the UFC was at stake, so he held on with all his might. But he was only delaying the inevitable. Sensing that Shamil would no longer open his hands, the Viking king decided to call and surrender to the mercy of the winner.
Shamil Gaziev
Photo: Chris Unger/Getty Images
Gaziev won and scored the most important goal. After the tournament, it became known that the Russian received the coveted contract with Dana White’s promotion. Shamil will be able to make his UFC debut very soon. In the heavyweight division there are several of our compatriots competing for Jon Jones’ title. Apparently, now there is another one.
Let’s remember Gaziev’s last victory in Brave:
Abdulmanap’s disciple showed miracles of mercy! And then he fell out with the judge to pieces.
It is worth noting that literally in a week, on September 26, the next tournament will take place – Dana White’s Contender Series 64. And there will be two very interesting fights at the same time. Shavkat Rakhmonov’s sister Sora will compete for a contract in the UFC. Her opponent will be Ernesta Karikaite of Lithuania. Russian Alexander Soldatkin, 30, will also perform at the tournament. He will face undefeated Brazilian Mario Piazzon.
