Shamil Gaziev knocks out Kennedy Nzechukwu in 80 seconds at UFC Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 22: Shamil Gaziev of Russia knocks out Kennedy Nzechukwu of Nigeria in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Golden 1 Center on August 22, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Shamil Gaziev probably feels like he got a freebie at UFC Sacramento. The heavyweight slugger took full advantage of opponent Kennedy Nzechukwu employing a mystifying, hands-down defense, splattering Nzechukwu with a straight right to score a knockout in just 80 seconds. Watch the power punch below. Shamil Gaziev with the one-hitter quitter on Kennedy Nzechukwu at #UFCSacramento! pic.twitter.com/rOhZJ6fUYt — MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) August 22, 2026 From the start, Nzechukwu, a former light heavyweight, appeared to be looking to rely on his speed and agility to avoid the heavy hands of Gaziev. Unfortunately for Nzechukwu, it wasn’t long before Gaziev cut off the cage, and then barely missed with a big right hand. A second immediately followed, catching Nzechukwu on the chin and sending him crashing down to the mat in comical fashion. That’s three knockout victories in the UFC now for Gaziev (15-3), who improved to 4-3 in the promotion, while Nzechukwu (14-7-1) falls to 2-2-1 in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Of Nzechukwu’s six UFC losses, four have come by way of knockout or submission.

Shamil Gaziev crushed Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC Sacramento

Heavyweights Shamil Gaziev vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu earlier tonight (Sat., Aug. 22, 2026) at UFC Sacramento LIVE on Paramount+ from inside the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. In a bizarre fight, Gaziev landed a huge knockout with his first real punch of the fight. Nzechukwu fought like he was allergic to keeping his hands up. […]

Shamil Gaziev snapped his two-fight losing skid at UFC Sacramento with a thunderous knockout of Kennedy Nzechukwu