Relative unknown, but comedic genius? Shamil Gaziev combats UFC main event criticism with humor

LAS VEGAS – Shamil Gaziev officially arrived in the UFC cage in December, and this past week he arrived in a big way on X.

A relative unknown to many fight fans, Gaziev (12-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) finds himself in a main event for his sophomore promotional outing – a rarity that’s garnered criticism from some fans.

Rather than argue or ignore, Gaziev decided to try to win them over through reasoning, and more so, humor. As a non-English speaker with less than six minutes of UFC cage time under his belt, Gaziev has started to turn some critics into followers.

“Fans are different,” Gaziev told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a news conference Wednesday ahead of UFC Fight Night 238 at the UFC Apex. “Some people understand, real fans, that it’s a good thing for our division to have new blood. But some people just trash talk. They just want to write something. They write. I don’t get serious with comments. So just my advice is to be happy there is a new fighter coming and making a big statement. As you saw in my UFC debut, just watch it and enjoy.”

you’re surrounded @JairRozenstruik pic.twitter.com/EAAb35YRPn

— Shamil Gaziev (@GazievMMA) February 28, 2024

Scroll through the comments on his recent X posts – like the one of him “surrounding” opponent Jairzinho Rozenstruik (13-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) in Las Vegas – or him admitting to a fan that perhaps he doesn’t have a chiseled frame, but that he’s OK with that.

Gaziev is doing what he can to ensure his fight does not get lost in the hustle and bustle of a crowded UFC schedule. Despite his serious fight week demeanor, Gaziev revealed joking around is a big part of his everyday character – and then proceeded to prove it by cracking a joke about how he’s only serious during fight week because he’s hungry and cutting weight.

“I have my friends who can translate for me in good English,” Gaziev said. “But all the ideas and jokes are coming from my ideas.”

Sorry man, I’m not competing in bodybuilding, I like to train hard and eat good after that

— Shamil Gaziev (@GazievMMA) February 27, 2024

Public perception aside, Gaziev admits his progress up the rankings is quicker than he expected. He remembered the surreal feeling of signing his first UFC posters in December. This week, that same process featured posters with his face on them – a feat that shows he’s way ahead of even his own-set schedule.

But with great opportunity comes reward. Gaziev is already thinking about signing posters with him holding a championship belt, and Saturday could be the next step toward making that a reality.

“It’s not the place where I make decisions, (but) if you ask me, of course. I want to fight (for the title) as soon as possible. Big fights will get me to the UFC gold. If UFC will tell me to do another 10 fights to reach that, I’m ready to do (those) fights also.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 238.