UFC Fight Night 250 now reached a thrilling high at Riyadh’s ANB Arena as the preliminary fights wrapped up, seamlessly setting the stage for the highly anticipated main card. However, among the action-packed matchups, one preliminary heavyweight clash in particular stood out. The showdown between Dagestani powerhouse Shamil Gaziev (14-1) and Thomas Petersen (9-3) quickly stole the spotlight, captivating fans around the world.

As the fight commenced, the Dagestani product wasted no time asserting his dominance. Competing in his fifth UFC appearance, he put on a commanding display, ultimately securing a walk-off knockout at the 3:12 mark of the opening round. Right from the outset, he controlled the fight’s tempo, keeping Petersen on the defensive. Then, when an opening in Petersen’s guard appeared, Shamil Gaziev swiftly capitalized, landing a perfectly timed punch that sealed his victory in emphatic fashion.

Notably, this win marked Shamil Gaziev’s first knockout in the UFC while also extending his record to four dominant victories within the promotion. At 34 years old, his performance spoke volumes—proving that he is not just a rising contender but a legitimate threat in the heavyweight division. His victory immediately impacted the division. Shortly after the fight, the popular Instagram page ‘Home of Fight’ shared a striking image of Gaziev’s knockout, which quickly gained traction.

Fans flooded the comment section with excitement, eagerly rallying behind the Dagestani finisher and calling for a future title shot. Furthermore, many even directed their predictions at UFC CEO Dana White, firmly believing that Shamil Gaziev is now ready to take on the division’s elites.

MMA fans foresaw Shamil Gaziev’s title run following his knockout victory over Thomas Petersen

The UFC heavyweight division has lately been centered around two key figures—champion Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall. Fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating their inevitable showdown. However, a new threat is emerging in the form of Shamil Gaziev. Fresh off a spectacular knockout victory in his fifth Octagon appearance, the Dagestani powerhouse is poised to shake up the title picture and challenge the dominance of Jones and Aspinall.

Hailing from Dagestan, Shamil Gaziev is determined to leave his mark on a division that has yet to see true Dagestani dominance. Many believe he could follow in the footsteps of Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, who ruled the lightweight division. One fan even issued a bold challenge to Jon Jones, commenting, “Seen enough, give him Jones so he can retire him,” emphasizing just how dangerous Gaziev appears. Another added, “Next Shamil vs Jon Jones,” urging the UFC and Dana White to make the fight happen.

At 6’4″, the Bahrain resident matches Jon Jones in height, though ‘Bones’ still holds a reach advantage. Despite this, fans are convinced Shamil Gaziev possesses “The Best Physique In The Heavyweight Division.” Even before his latest victory, many were already confident in his potential, with one fan commenting, “Wouldn’t have expected anything less.”

Now, the question remains—will Dana White give Shamil Gaziev a path to the title? One thing seems unlikely: a fight against Jon Jones, who has hinted at “uno más,” signaling one final Octagon appearance. Despite this, some fans believe ‘Bones’ is avoiding the rising contender, with one even stating, “Jones hasn’t called him out for a reason.”

For now, the focus is on booking Jones Jones vs. Aspinall. However, if Gaziev keeps up his dominant performances, he may soon find himself in the mix for a title shot. As anticipation builds, one fan summed up the situation perfectly, commenting, “Aspinall is shitting rn.” What are your thoughts on Shamil Gaziev’s impressive victory at UFC Fight Night 250? Do you believe he’s ready to pose a serious threat to the division’s elite, like Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall? Share your opinion below.