UFC UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Rodrigues Final

Heavyweight

Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Shamil Gaziev

Kennedy Nzechukwu
Nigeria

Kennedy Nzechukwu

“Chosen”

14-7-1

VS
Shamil Gaziev
Russia

Shamil Gaziev

15-3

Winner

Winner

Shamil Gaziev

KO/TKO (Punch · Head · At Distance) · Round 1 — 1:20

22 August 2026 · Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, USA

Key takeaways

  • Shamil Gaziev beat Kennedy Nzechukwu by KO/TKO in round 1 at 1:20.
  • Shamil Gaziev landed 2 of 5 total strikes.
  • Kennedy Nzechukwu landed more total strikes — 3 to 2 — and still lost the fight.

Tale of the tape

Kennedy NzechukwuShamil Gaziev
14-7-1Record15-3
34Age on fight night36
6′5″ (196 cm)Height6′4″ (193 cm)
83″ (211 cm)Reach78.5″ (199 cm)
205 lb (93 kg)Weight265 lb (120.2 kg)
SouthpawStanceOrthodox
Fortis MMATeamKHK MMA
Imo State, Imo, NigeriaFromKhunzakh, Dagestan, Russia

Fight statistics

3of 7 · 43%Total strikes landed2of 5 · 40%
3of 7Head strikes2of 4
0Knockdowns1

Counts are total strikes thrown and landed — the source does not separate significant strikes.

Round by round

Kennedy NzechukwuRoundShamil Gaziev
3/7strikes0/0TD0KD0:00controlR12/5strikes0/0TD1KD0:00control

Form going into the fight

Kennedy Nzechukwu

  1. DMarcus Buchechaunanimous decision2025
  2. LValter Walkersubmission R1 0:542025
  3. WLukasz BrzeskiKO/TKO R1 4:512024
  4. WChris BarnettKO/TKO R1 4:272024
  5. LOvince Saint Preuxsplit decision2024

Shamil Gaziev

  1. LBrando PericicKO/TKO R2 3:442026
  2. LWaldo Cortes-AcostaKO/TKO R1 1:222025
  3. WThomas PetersenKO/TKO R1 3:122025
  4. WDon'Tale Mayesunanimous decision2024
  5. LJairzinho RozenstruikKO/TKO R4 5:002024

Also on this card

Anthony Hernandez vs Gregory RodriguesMiddleweightunanimous decisionSerghei Spivac vs Vitor PetrinoHeavyweightunanimous decisionReinier de Ridder vs Roman DolidzeLight HeavyweightKO/TKO R1 4:01MarQuel Mederos vs Mason JonesLightweightKO/TKO R2 2:07Carli Judice vs Jeisla ChavesWomen's FlyweightKO/TKO R1 1:39

See the full card of UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Rodrigues →