One of three heavyweight fights on Saturday’s UFC Saudi Arabia card found Contender Series vets Shamil Gaziev and Thomas Petersen face off.
Petersen was a class of ’23 Contender Series winner, while Gaziev had fought his way into the UFC on the show in that same year.
Gaziev, with a clear size advantage, landed an early elbow, leading to Petersen chopping at the larger man’s legs. Those leg kicks would continue for Petersen, who also worked the body as Shamil Gaziev walked him down.
Just under two minutes in, Petersen landed an explosive takedown, but unfortunately, despite Gaziev giving up his back, he couldn’t keep the big man down. Instead, Gaziev exploded up, and they went back to the stand-up game, where Gaziev’s power was an ever-present threat. That power was on display moments later, with Gaziev landed a one-punch knockout that left Petersen sprawled on the canvas, spitting out his mouthpiece, clearly out of the fight. The right hand was picture perfect, landing squarely on the jaw, and likely put Shamil Gaziev in the running for a Performance of the Night bonus.
Following the walk-off KO, Gaziev promised that he’d look for a first-round finish in every fight.
Official Result: Shamil Gaziev def. Thomas Petersen by TKO (punch), Round 1, 3:12
