Jon Jones is the Heavyweight UFC champion, and Tom Aspinall holds the interim title, but another fighter in the division has a unique fan base. The fighter recently got injured, and it has got the fight fans buzzing.
The fighter in question is Shamil Gaziev. The 35-year-old last fought at UFC Riyadh, headlined by Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov, knocking out Thomas Petersen in the first round.
MMA Fans React to UFC Heavyweight Shamil Gaziev’s Latest Injury
After his impressive victory at UFC Riyadh, Shamil Gaziev was set to face Serghei Spivac at UFC Vegas 106, headlined by Gilbert Burns and Michael Morales, on May 17. The UFC rescheduled it for UFC 316, but Gaziev pulled out, and Waldo Cortes-Acosta replaced him.
The Russian Heavyweight has now revealed the reason for the withdrawal on his X, formerly Twitter. “Hello guys, unfortunately I broke my finger during preparation and will make surgery soon. But I will try my best to get back very soon,” Gaziev wrote.
Fight fans had a field day after Gaziev’s X post. The 35-year-old had become a meme king, particularly after his first and only loss in MMA, to Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
“It’s alright champ. Jones is keeping the belt warm for you,” a fan wrote, mentioning Jon “Bones” Jones, the Heavyweight champion.
It’s alright champ
Jones is keeping the belt warm for you
— Blind Bear MMA🐻 (@BlindBearMMA) May 5, 2025
“Its ok brother take your time. Jones is keeping your belt warm,” another fan seconded.
Its ok brother take your time. Jones is keeping your belt warm
— ChubbsLLC (@AdisonChornak1) May 5, 2025
Another fan made a hilarious claim: “I will give you my hand so you can fight, brother.”
i will give you my hand so you can fight brother
— Illguided (@illguided) May 5, 2025
“Heal up, king, go destroy Jones and Aspinall when the time comes, my [GOAT emoji],” a fan made a bigger, bolder claim.
Jon Jones caught hilarious strays as a fan wrote: “Jon Jones just sent another million to his witch doctor after this post.”
“All good bro. You still the GOAT,” a fan hilariously made a bold claim.
UFC Heavyweight Shamil Gaziev Had Previously Apologized for Not Finishing His Opponent
After his first professional MMA loss, to Jairzinho Rozenstruik, at UFC Vegas 87, Shamil Gaziev rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Don’Tale Mayes at UFC Abu Dhabi, headlined by Umar Nurmagomedov and Cory Sandhagen.
Gaziev didn’t let the judges get into the equation in his next fight as he knocked out Thomas Peterson. In the Octagon interview with Paul Felder, Gaziev said: “First of all, I want to say to my father, Daddy, this time I didn’t make you nervous like before. I fought. And, yes, last fight I broke my hand, that’s why my fight went to decision. When I’m healthy, I promise you guys, every fight I will look for a first-round finish” (translated from Russian).
Currently, Gaziev is ranked twelfth in the UFC’s Heavyweight rankings. When he can fight, the UFC will likely match him with a top-ten opponent.