Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Shamil Gaziev Pick, 08/22/2026 Predictions UFC Sacramento Odds

by Josh Schonwald - 8/18/2026

Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Shamil Gaziev

UFC Sacramento

Golden 1 Center in Sacramento

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Kennedy Nzechukwu will face off with Shamil Gaziev at UFC Sacramento on Saturday, August 22, 2026. The opening odds have Nzechukwu coming in at +115 while Gaziev is coming in at -135.

Kennedy "Chosen" Nzechukwu steps into the cage with a mark of 14-6-1. The 34-year-old weighs 236 lbs and measures 6'5". The southpaw fighter has a reach of 83". Shamil Gaziev stands in at 6'4" and weighs 265 lbs. The orthodox fighter has a career mark of 14-3-0. The 36-year-old extends his reach 78". Concerning significant strikes, Kennedy Nzechukwu lands 4.96 per minute while Shamil Gaziev is connecting on 2.94 significant strikes per min. Nzechukwu is connecting on 46% of the significant strikes he attempts and Gaziev lands 46%. When it comes to defending themselves, "Chosen" takes 4.58 significant strikes per minute and Gaziev allows 4.92. Nzechukwu also deflects 51% of the significant strikes his opponents attempt and Gaziev is able to deflect 45% of the strikes thrown his way.

ufc picks Kennedy Nzechukwu predictions best bet odds

UFC Sacramento	Kennedy Nzechukwu	Shamil Gaziev
Opening Odds	+115	-135
Record	14-6-1	14-3-0
Average Fight Time	8:50	8:07
Height	6'5"	6'4"
Weight	236 lbs	265 lbs
Reach	83"	78"
Strikes Landed Per Minute	4.96	2.94
Striking Accuracy	46%	46%

Regarding takedowns, Kennedy Nzechukwu is not as effective of a grappler as he takes his opponents to the mat 0.50 times per 15 min. Nzechukwu is scoring a takedown on 45% of the times he tries and is stopping 80% of all takedowns attempted by his opposition. Gaziev is finishing his takedown attempts on 33% of his takedown attempts and is stuffing 83% of the attempts against him. Regarding subbing opponents, Nzechukwu is less likely to go for the finish by going for 0.2 subs per 3 rounds while Gaziev tries 0.3 subs per 3 rounds.

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In his previous bout, Kennedy Nzechukwu faced Marcus Buchecha and ended up in a draw via unanimous decision in round 3. Buchecha landed 47 of 66 total strikes attempted in that contest. Nzechukwu walked away from this fight having landed 58 of 87 total strikes. Concerning significant strikes, Buchecha landed 27 of 44, giving him a percentage of 61%. He landed 23 of 38 significant strikes to the head. On the other side of the Octagon, Nzechukwu landed 50% of his significant strikes by sticking 24 of 48. In regard to the placement of these significant strikes, he landed 21 of 43 pointed at the head. 7% of the significant strikes connected on by Buchecha and 54% of them landed by Nzechukwu were thrown at distance.

In the last bout for Shamil Gaziev, he squared up with Brando Pericic and took a loss on the night by way of a punch to the head in round 2. Pericic ended up landing 91% of the significant strikes he tried at a distance and Gaziev connected on 82% of the significant strikes he attempted from distance. Gaziev landed 41% of his significant strikes attempted by connecting on 41 of 100. He ended up landing 30 of 88 significant strikes aimed at the head. Pericic connected on 89 of 163 significant strikes in that battle. Out of those significant strikes, he ended up connecting on 62 of 134 to the head. Relating to the total strikes thrown in this fight, Pericic landed 100 of 177 while Gaziev ended up landing 51 of 110 of the strikes he threw in total.

Other fights on the card to watch

Another fight that you're going to want to watch is when Chris Padilla faces off with Nasrat Haqparast. Padilla walks into the cage holding a mark of 17-6-1. The 30-year-old is fighting at 155 lbs and comes in at 5'9". The orthodox fighter stretches 74". Haqparast measures 5'10" and tips the scales at 155 lbs. The southpaw fighter steps into the cage with a mark of 18-6-0. The 30-year-old stretches 72". In terms of takedowns, Chris Padilla takes his opponents to the canvas 1.13 times per 3 rounds while Nasrat Haqparast gets a takedown 0.34 times per 3 rounds. In the striking category, Padilla lands an average of 6.19 strikes/minute and connecting on 54% of the strikes that he throws. On the other side of the cage we have Nasrat Haqparast, who lands 45% of his attempted strikes and connects on 6.36 per minute.

Another bout to watch is when Jackson McVey is set to encounter Wes Schultz. Schultz steps into the cage holding a record of 9-3-0. The 30-year-old tips the scales at 185 lbs and measures in at 6'1". The orthodox fighter has a reach of 77". McVey measures 6'4" and records a weight of 185 lbs. The southpaw fighter will be looking to add a win to his career record of 7-2-0. The 27-year-old reaches 77". Concerning wrestling, Wes Schultz is able to curb 15% of the takedowns fighters have tried and is taking his opponents to the canvas on 21% of his attempts. McVey is taking his opponents to the mat on 15% of his tries and is able to stop 15% of all takedown tries against him. With regard to striking, Schultz is taking 3.11 strikes/minute while he is dishing out 2.91 strikes/minute. McVey, notwithstanding, is taking 3.37 strikes/min and dishes out 6.51 per min.

Who will win tonight's UFC match against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Shamil Gaziev (-135)

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Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Shamil Gaziev Pick, 08/22/2026 Predictions UFC Sacramento Odds

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