UFC Fight Night: Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Shamil Gaziev Preview & Prediction

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A heavyweight tilt pits fan favorite, Shamil Gaziev, against the heavy-handed Kennedy Nzechekwu.

Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Shamil Gaziev facts

What time are Kennedy Nzechukwu and Shamil Gaziev expected to walk out? 23 August 2026 at 12:45 am

Where is UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs Rodrigues? Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, USA

Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs Rodrigues? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 285

What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs Rodrigues on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount

Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs Rodrigues? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass

UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs Rodrigues main card

Anthony Hernandez vs Gregory Rodrigues (Middleweight)

Serghei Spivac vs Vitor Petrino (Heavyweight)

Reinier de Ridder vs Roman Dolidze (Light Heavyweight)

Mason Jones vs MarQuel Mederos (Lightweight)

Carli Judice vs Jeisla Chaves (Women's Flyweight)

Terrance Chatman vs Anthony Wint (Heavyweight)

UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs Rodrigues prelims

Jamall Emmers vs Lerryan Douglas (Featherweight)

Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Shamil Gaziev (Heavyweight)

Nasrat Haqparast vs Chris Padilla (Lightweight)

Marcio Barbosa vs Ryan Kuse (Featherweight)

Gauge Young vs Stanley Dorsainvil (Lightweight)

Wesley Schultz vs Jackson McVey (Middleweight)

Shanelle Dyer vs Elise Reed (Women's Strawweight)

Kennedy Nzechukwu: "Blessed" aims to regain momentum

The first and only man to defeat current light heavyweight champion, Carlos Ulberg, Kennedy Nzechekwu (14-6-1) began his heavyweight campaign in promising fashion, scoring KOs over Chris Barnett and Lukasz Brzeski after moving up a weight class. Unfortunately for “Blessed,” he’s had a rough run of form since, losing to Valter Walker by heel hook and fighting to a sloppy draw against Marcus Buchecha last time out. At his best, the Nigerian is an athletic powerhouse with excellent striking, booming power, and solid takedown defense, but he’s been prone to lapses in fight IQ and suspect cardio throughout his career.

Shamil Gaziev: What does the Bahraini have left in the tank?

Fan favorite, Shamil Gaziev (14-3) makes the walk on Saturday night in dire need of a win. The man affectionately dubbed “The Blob” is coming off brutal KO losses in his last two appearances, getting slumped by Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Brando Pericic after beginning life in the promotion at 3-1. The Bahraini has some solid power on the feet and is capable of landing a KO blow, but he’s primarily a grappler, using his enormous 6’4” frame to lean on his opponents and drain their energy.  He’s earned finishes in all but two of his fourteen wins, with nine victories coming by way of KO.

Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Shamil Gaziev prediction

Oh boy.

I would be much more confident in picking Gaziev in this one if he wasn’t coming off back-to-back KO defeats. For all his shortcomings, Nzechukwu has solid striking and hits like a truck, while Gaziev has always had pretty suspect defense. An early bomb means that this could well prove to be the fight where the Bahraini fighter’s chin completely disintegrates in short order.

With that being said, Gaziev took some HARD shots from Brando Pericic; it took a lot of punishment for him to eventually go down. He’s got a significant edge in the wrestling department here and I think that if he’s able to get to the body lock or drag the Nigerian down, he can blob his way to a decision. Nzechukwu has solid takedown defense on paper, but he hasn’t fought the best opponents and has struggled with decent wrestlers in the past.

If Gaziev can’t get the takedowns or consistently wear on Nzechukwu in the clinch, he’s probably toast. However, we’re tentatively riding with the Bahraini native to navigate the early danger, use his size to gas Nzechukwu out, and grind his way to an uninspiring decision victory. However, this is heavyweight; don’t be surprised if “Blessed” uncorks something murderous and nukes Gaziev out cold.

Prediction: Shamil Gaziev to win