Las Vegas, NV – The first UFC fighter from Bahrain also picked up his first win in the promotion when Shamil Gaziev finished Martin Buday at UFC 296.
“When fight starts I just fight and my plan doesn’t work usually. I just go and do my job and he’s a tough guy only who stayed second round with me. Usually I finish them in first round,” Gaziev told reporters including Cageside Press through a translator on Saturday night.
The fight turned into a clinic served up by Gaziev as he constantly hurt Buday on the feet. To his credit Buday never really went down as the ref called the fight as Buday stood on his feet.
“I understood that he’s done when I gave him big cut. Referee stopped him when he stand or on the floor. Doesn’t matter because he was not defending properly and of course referee will stop the fight,” Gaziev said.
“But I was very confident after I saw that big cut and I saw his eyes that he was lost.”
The first fighter from Bahrain was proud to not only give his country a UFC victory, but on a special day for his homeland.
“Very happy to be the first fighter from the country and we have a huge support. Specially today is national day of Bahrain. I give them another reason to celebrate today. I am double happy today,” he said.
Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Shamil Gaziev above.
