Shamil Gamzatov

{{Short description|Russian mixed martial arts fighter (born 1990)}}

{{family name hatnote|Radzhabovich|Gamzatov|lang=Eastern Slavic}}

{{Infobox martial artist

| name = Shamil Gamzatov
Шамиль Гамзатов

| other_names =

| image =

| image_size = 400px

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|08|09}}

| birth_place = Kizlyar, Dagestan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union

| death_date =

| death_place =

| death_cause =

| residence = Makhachkala, Dagestan

| nationality = Russian
Turkish

| ethnicity = Avar

| height = {{height|m=1.87|precision=0}}

| weight = {{convert|218|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}

| reach = 76 in (193 cm)

| trainer =

| weight_class = Light Heavyweight (205 lb) (2012 – present){{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Shamil-Gamzatov-136875|title=Shamil Gamzatov|publisher=sherdog.com|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=May 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513143448/http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Shamil-Gamzatov-136875|url-status=live}}
Middleweight (185 lb) (2018){{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/04/professional-fighters-league-exclusive-pfl-roster-reveal-wsof-millionaire-tournament-mma/5|title=PFL roster revealed: Six of these 72 fighters will be millionaires by year's end|date=16 April 2018|publisher=mmajunkie.com|access-date=April 16, 2018}}

| style = Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo

| stance =

| fighting_out_of = Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia
Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S.

| team = Krepost
Gorets MMA
American Top Team

| rank = National Master of Sports in Sambo
Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

| years_active = 2012–present

| mma_kowin = 5

| mma_subwin = 5

| mma_decwin = 5

| mma_koloss = 1

| mma_subloss =

| mma_decloss = 2

| mma_draw =

| mma_nc =

| url =

| sherdog = 136875

| footnotes =

| updated =

}}

Shamil Gamzatov ({{langx|ru|Шамиль Раджабович Гамзатов}}; born August 9, 1990) is a Russian mixed martial artist competing in the Light Heavyweight division. A professional since 2012, he has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), World Series of Fighting, Absolute Championship Berkut and competed in the Middleweight division of the Professional Fighters League.

Background

He was born in Kizlyar city, Dagestan, Soviet Union into a devout Sunni muslim family of Avar origin from Tsurib village, Charodinsky District. He started training in freestyle wrestling at 8 years of age, after an injured knee he retired. At 15 years of age he joined Amateur MMA under Zalimkhan Tatev. He won European and World MMA titles in amateur level. Also he is a Dagestan national kickboxing champion, 3x grappling Abdu-Dabi tournament winner. Combat Sambo North Caucasian championships 3rd 2015 at 100 kg.{{Cite web|url=http://sambo.ru/events/2014/12/1919/|title=Первенство и чемпионат Северо-Кавказского Федерального округа по самбо|access-date=2018-04-28|archive-date=2020-01-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106213830/http://www.sambo.ru/events/2014/12/1919/|url-status=live}} At the World Grappling Championships (World Grappling Association) he won the gold medal at 92 kilos.{{cite web|url=http://duellogroup.com/index.php/utiliser-joomla/utiliser-extensions/composants/composant-contenu/liste-categories/107-islam-mutaliev.html|title=Shamil Gamzatov|website=duellogroup.com|access-date=2018-04-24|archive-date=2018-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815164318/http://duellogroup.com/index.php/utiliser-joomla/utiliser-extensions/composants/composant-contenu/liste-categories/107-islam-mutaliev.html|url-status=live}}

Gamzatov said of his changing of sports as a kid, “[I] changed various sports and performed in them: combat sambo, grappling, amateur MMA. Then there was a transition to MMA and there was a debut and so began my career as a professional!”{{Cite web|url = https://fight-library.com/2019/11/27/shamil-gamzatov-interview-russia-bringing-their-finest/|title = Shamil Gamzatov Interview: Russia Bringing Their Finest|date = 27 November 2019|access-date = 8 December 2019|archive-date = 15 July 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200715030152/https://fight-library.com/2019/11/27/shamil-gamzatov-interview-russia-bringing-their-finest/|url-status = live}}

Mixed martial arts career

=World Series of Fighting=

Gamzatov made his debut in the US on January 23, 2016, at WSOF 27, his opponent was Teddy Holder of Tennessee.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/12/wsof-27-adds-ricci-vs-fodor-gamzatov-vs-holder-in-tennessee|title=WSOF 27 adds Ricci vs. Fodor and Gamzatov vs. Holder|date=19 December 2015}} He won the fight by TKO (punches) in the first round.

=Absolute Championship Berkut=

Gamzatov faced Rodney Wallace on January 13, 2017, at ACB 51. He won the back-and-forth fight by split decision.{{cite web|url=https://fightnews.info/video-boya-rodni-uollas-shamil-gamzatov-acb-51-/|title=Видео боя Родни Уоллас - Шамиль Гамзатов ACB 51 - Fightnews.info|website=fightnews.info|access-date=2018-04-24|archive-date=2018-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125015203/https://fightnews.info/video-boya-rodni-uollas-shamil-gamzatov-acb-51-/|url-status=live}}

=Professional Fighters League=

Gamzatov faced Eddie Gordon on July 5, 2018, at PFL 3.{{cite web|url=https://valetudo.ru/mma/news/nurmagomedov-goltsov-valiev-grishin-i-drugie-bojtsy-iz-rossii-pobyutsya-za-6-000-000|title=Нурмагомедов, Гольцов, Валиев, Гришин и другие бойцы из России побьются за $6,000,000|publisher=valetudo.ru|access-date=April 16, 2018|archive-date=July 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715020203/https://valetudo.ru/mma/news/nurmagomedov-goltsov-valiev-grishin-i-drugie-bojtsy-iz-rossii-pobyutsya-za-6-000-000|url-status=live}} He won the fight by unanimous decision.

In his next bout, Gamzatov faced Rex Harris on 16 August 2018 at PFL 6.{{cite web|url=http://www.pflmma.com/fight-card/?tag=pfl-6|title=Fight Card - PFL 6|publisher=PFL|access-date=2018-08-15|archive-date=2018-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807190245/http://www.pflmma.com/fight-card/?tag=pfl-6|url-status=live}} He won the fight by unanimous decision.

=Ultimate Fighting Championship=

Gamzatov signed a four-fight deal with the UFC in July.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports.ru/boxing/1076198384.html|title=Shamil Gamzatov in the UFC|website=sports.ru|date=12 July 2019 |access-date=2019-07-14|archive-date=2020-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715043207/https://www.sports.ru/boxing/1076198384.html|url-status=live}}

Gamzatov made his promotional debut against Klidson Abreu on November 9, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 163.{{Cite web|url=https://sportv.globo.com/site/combate/noticia/klidson-abreu-enfrenta-russo-invicto-shamil-gamzatov-no-ufc-moscou-em-novembro.ghtml|title=Klidson Abreu faces unbeaten Russian Shamil Gamzatov at UFC Moscow in November|website=Sportv|author=Adriano Albuquerque|language=pt-br|date=2019-08-22|access-date=2019-08-22|archive-date=2020-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715043252/https://sportv.globo.com/site/combate/noticia/klidson-abreu-enfrenta-russo-invicto-shamil-gamzatov-no-ufc-moscou-em-novembro.ghtml|url-status=dead}} He won the fight via split decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2019/11/09/ufc-moscow-results-shamil-gamzatov-decisions-klidson-abreu/|title=UFC Moscow Results: Shamil Gamzatov Decisions Klidson Abreu|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2019-11-09|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-09|archive-date=2020-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715043330/https://cagesidepress.com/2019/11/09/ufc-moscow-results-shamil-gamzatov-decisions-klidson-abreu/|url-status=live}}

Gamzatov was scheduled to face Ovince Saint Preux on April 25, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/02/ufc-lincoln-ovince-saint-preux-vs-shamil-gamzatov-booked|title=Ovince Saint Preux vs. Shamil Gamzatov added to UFC Lincoln|date=2020-02-06|author=Farah Hannoun|website=mmajunkie.com|access-date=2020-02-06|archive-date=2020-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715043412/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/02/ufc-lincoln-ovince-saint-preux-vs-shamil-gamzatov-booked|url-status=live}} However, Gamzatov was forced to pull from the event due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restriction {{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/04/shamil-gamzatov-out-of-ufc-on-espn-31-fight-vs-ovince-saint-preux|title=Shamil Gamzatov out of UFC on ESPN+ 31 fight vs. Ovince Saint Preux|date=2020-04-05|website=MMA Junkie|language=en|access-date=2020-04-06|archive-date=2020-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715043557/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/04/shamil-gamzatov-out-of-ufc-on-espn-31-fight-vs-ovince-saint-preux|url-status=live}} The match was rescheduled on August 22, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 15.{{Cite web|last=DNA|first=MMA|title=Ovince St.Preux vs. Shamil Gamzatov opnieuw ingepland, ditmaal voor 22 augustus|date=2 July 2020|url=https://mmadna.nl/ovince-st-preux-vs-shamil-gamzatov-opnieuw-ingepland-ditmaal-voor-22-augustus/|access-date=2020-07-03|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715043614/https://mmadna.nl/ovince-st-preux-vs-shamil-gamzatov-opnieuw-ingepland-ditmaal-voor-22-augustus/|url-status=live}} However, for unknown reasons, Gamzatov was pulled from the bout and was replaced by Alonzo Menifield.{{Cite web|last=Newswire|first=MMA Fighting|date=2020-08-13|title=Ovince Saint Preux vs. Alonzo Menifield booked as co-main event for Aug. 22 UFC event|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/8/13/21368277/ovince-saint-preux-vs-alonzo-menifield-booked-as-co-main-event-for-aug-22-ufc-event|access-date=2020-08-14|website=MMA Fighting|language=en|archive-date=2020-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820140232/https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/8/13/21368277/ovince-saint-preux-vs-alonzo-menifield-booked-as-co-main-event-for-aug-22-ufc-event|url-status=live}}

Gamzatov was briefly linked to a bout against Devin Clark on November 28, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Lewis.{{Cite web|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=2020-10-13|title=Devin Clark vs. Shamil Gamzatov toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 28 november|url=https://mmadna.nl/devin-clark-vs-shamil-gamzatov-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-evenement-op-28-november/|access-date=2020-10-13|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-10-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013204903/https://mmadna.nl/devin-clark-vs-shamil-gamzatov-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-evenement-op-28-november/|url-status=live}} However, Gamzatov was removed from the bout in mid-October due to alleged visa issues and was replaced by Anthony Smith on the card.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/10/ufc-news-devin-clark-vs-anthony-smith-booked-light-heavyweight-nov-28|title=Devin Clark vs. Anthony Smith added to UFC's Nov. 28 event in Las Vegas|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King and Mike Bohn|date=2020-10-15|access-date=2020-10-15|archive-date=2020-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209153956/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/10/ufc-news-devin-clark-vs-anthony-smith-booked-light-heavyweight-nov-28|url-status=live}}

Gamzatov was scheduled to face Da Woon Jung on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC 2.{{Cite web|author=Redactie|date=2021-02-03|title=Da Un Jung faces undefeated Shamil Gamzatov at UFC event on April 10|url=https://mmadna.nl/da-un-jung-treft-ongeslagen-shamil-gamzatov-tijdens-ufc-evenement-op-10-april/|access-date=2021-02-23|website=mma.dna.nl|language=nl|archive-date=2021-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419093039/https://mmadna.nl/da-un-jung-treft-ongeslagen-shamil-gamzatov-tijdens-ufc-evenement-op-10-april/|url-status=live}} However, Gamzatov was removed from the bout on March 24 due to alleged visa issues and was replaced by William Knight.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/ufc-260-news-william-knight-covid-19-alonzo-menifield-vs-fabio-cherant|title=William Knight out of UFC 260 due to COVID-19 protocols; Alonzo Menifield meets Fabio Cherant|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2021-03-24|access-date=2021-03-24|archive-date=2021-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411062522/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/ufc-260-news-william-knight-covid-19-alonzo-menifield-vs-fabio-cherant|url-status=live}}

Gamzatov faced Michał Oleksiejczuk on October 30, 2021, at UFC 267.{{Cite web|last=Dorff|first=Marcel|date=2021-07-21|title=Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Shamil Gamzatov toegevoegd aan UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi|url=https://mmadna.nl/michal-oleksiejczuk-vs-shamil-gamzatov-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-267-in-abu-dhabi/|access-date=2021-07-21|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721190357/https://mmadna.nl/michal-oleksiejczuk-vs-shamil-gamzatov-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-267-in-abu-dhabi/|url-status=live}} He lost the bout via TKO in the first round, losing for the first time in his professional career.{{Cite web|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2021-10-30|title=UFC 267 Results: Michał Oleksiejczuk Overwhelms Shamil Gamzatov|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/10/30/ufc-267-results-michal-oleksiejczuk-overwhelms-shamil-gamzatov/|access-date=2021-10-30|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-10-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030160819/https://cagesidepress.com/2021/10/30/ufc-267-results-michal-oleksiejczuk-overwhelms-shamil-gamzatov/|url-status=live}}

Gamzatov was scheduled to face Misha Cirkunov on August 6, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Hill.{{Cite web |last=Tkaczuk |first=Michał |date=2022-06-17 |title=Były rywal Michała Oleksiejczuka wróci w sierpniu do klatki UFC {{!}} MMAROCKS |url=https://www.mmarocks.pl/mma-news/byly-rywal-michala-oleksiejczuka-wroci-w-sierpniu-do-klatki-ufc |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=MMA Rocks! |language=pl-PL |archive-date=2022-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618231544/https://www.mmarocks.pl/mma-news/byly-rywal-michala-oleksiejczuka-wroci-w-sierpniu-do-klatki-ufc |url-status=live }} However, Gamzatov was unable to obtain a US visa and the bout was scrapped, after which he and the UFC parted ways.{{Cite web |last=Романчук |first=Владислав |title=Российский боец Шамиль Гамзатов покинул UFC, несмотря на запланированный бой |url=https://www.championat.com/boxing/news-4768983-rossijskij-boec-shamil-gamzatov-pokinul-ufc-nesmotrya-na-zaplanirovannyj-boj.html |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=www.championat.com |language=ru |archive-date=2022-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804033039/https://www.championat.com/boxing/news-4768983-rossijskij-boec-shamil-gamzatov-pokinul-ufc-nesmotrya-na-zaplanirovannyj-boj.html |url-status=live }}

Championships and accomplishments

=[[Grappling]]=

Abu Dhabi grappling tournament
3x tournament winner.
World Grappling Association
World champion (92 kg).

=MMA=

World Mixed Martial Arts Amateur Union
European champion 2013 (93 kg).
World champion 2013 (93 kg).

Mixed martial arts record

{{MMArecordbox

| draws=

| nc=

| ko-wins= 5

| sub-wins= 5

| dec-wins= 4

| ko-losses= 1

| sub-losses=

| dec-losses= 2

| dq-wins=

| dq-losses=

| other-wins=

| other-losses=

}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|15–3

|Igor Glazkov

|Decision (split)

|RCC Intro 35

|{{dts|2025|February|22}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Yekaterinburg, Russia

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|14–3

|Asylzhan Bakhytzhanuly

|Decision (unanimous)

|Nashe Delo: Nemkov vs. Ibragimov

|{{dts|2024|December|6}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Saint Petersburg, Russia

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|14–2

|Viktor Nemkov

|Decision (unanimous)

|Nashe Delo: Nemkov vs. Gamzatov

|{{dts|2024|June|12}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|5:00

|Saint Petersburg, Russia

|{{small|For the Nashe Delo Heavyweight Championship.}}

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center| 14–1

|Michał Oleksiejczuk

|TKO (punches)

|UFC 267

|{{dts|2021|October|30}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:31

|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 14–0

|Klidson Abreu

|Decision (split)

|UFC Fight Night: Magomedsharipov vs. Kattar

|{{dts|2019|November|9}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Moscow, Russia

|{{small|Return to Light Heavyweight.}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 13–0

|Rex Harris

|Decision (unanimous)

|PFL 6 (2018)

|{{dts|2018|August|16}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 12–0

|Eddie Gordon

|Decision (unanimous)

|PFL 3 (2018)

|{{dts|2018|July|05}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Washington, D.C., United States

|{{small|Middleweight debut.}}

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 11–0

| Rodney Wallace

| Decision (split)

| ACB 51

| {{dts|2017|January|13}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Irvine, California, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 10–0

| Teddy Holder

| TKO (punches)

| WSOF 27

| {{dts|2016|January|23}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:32

| Memphis, Tennessee, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 9–0

| Yuri Gorbenko

| Submission (triangle choke)

| N1 Pro: Nomad Pro MMA Cup 2014

| {{dts|2014|October|5}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 3:39

| Grozny, Russia

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 8–0

| Sukhrob Muradov

| TKO (punches)

| Fight Star: Saransk vs. Penza

| {{dts|2014|September|5}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:16

| Saransk, Russia

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 7–0

| Vladimir Mishchenko

| Submission (guillotine choke)

| Warriors Honor: Mayor's Cup

| {{dts|2013|December|4}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 2:07

| Kharkiv, Ukraine

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 6–0

| Andrey Musanipov

| Submission (armbar)

| Battle of Champions 2

| {{dts|2013|August|25}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 1:14

| Ufa, Russia

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 5–0

| Ivan Fedunov

| KO (punch)

| Versia Fighting Championship 1

| {{dts|2013|August|17}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 3:52

| Pyatigorsk, Russia

|{{small|Return to Light Heavyweight.}}

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 4–0

| Ilya Gunenko

| Submission (armbar)

| WCSA Combat League: Combat Ring 3

| {{dts|2013|June|30}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:14

| Odesa, Ukraine

|{{small|Heavyweight debut.}}

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 3–0

| Rustam Omar-Ogly

| Submission (armbar)

| Derbent Fighting Championship

| {{dts|2012|July|13}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 3:40

| Derbent, Russia

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 2–0

| Assaad Raad

| TKO (punches)

| Top Fight: Battle of the Gyms

| {{dts|2012|February|25}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 2:35

| Dubai, United Arab Emirates

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 1–0

| Murat Aibazov

| TKO (punches)

| FoPoKC: Cup of Friendship

| {{dts|2012|January|30}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 1:35

| Teberda, Russia

|{{small|Light Heavyweight debut.}}

{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Shamil-Gamzatov-136875|title=Shamil Gamzatov MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2019-11-09|archive-date=2019-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830101615/https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Shamil-Gamzatov-136875|url-status=live}}