Shamil Gaziev vs. Darko Stošić Full Fight | BRAVE CF 69
Before Shamil Gaziev became a UFC heavyweight, one of the most important wins of his unbeaten rise came against Darko Stošić in Belgrade. Their heavyweight co-main event at BRAVE CF 69 matched Gaziev’s size and finishing ability against a hometown favorite who already had experience at the highest levels of European MMA.
This full fight comes from February 18, 2023, when BRAVE CF returned to Serbia as part of BRAVE International Combat Week. Gaziev entered at 9-0, while Stošić was fighting in front of Serbian fans and looking to halt the heavyweight prospect’s rapid rise.
Gaziev stops Stošić in the first round at BRAVE CF 69
The matchup did not require three rounds to settle. Gaziev used his physical pressure and heavy punches to force Stošić backwards before finishing the Serbian by first-round TKO. It was Gaziev’s second BRAVE CF appearance and another stoppage after he had knocked out Pavel Dailidko in his promotional debut at BRAVE CF 65.
The Stošić victory carried considerably more weight. The Serbian had already competed in the UFC and had gone on to establish himself among the stronger heavyweights on the European circuit. Beating him in Belgrade gave Gaziev the most recognizable name on his record at that stage of his career and kept his professional record perfect.
Gaziev left BRAVE CF after the fight and moved to Dana White’s Contender Series later that year. He submitted Greg Velasco in the opening round to earn a UFC contract, completing a quick progression from BRAVE heavyweight prospect to the Octagon.
Shamil Gaziev returns against Kennedy Nzechukwu
The reason this BRAVE CF fight has resurfaced during UFC Fight Week is straightforward. Gaziev is back in action against Kennedy Nzechukwu in the Gaziev vs. Nzechukwu heavyweight matchup at UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Rodrigues on August 22 in Sacramento.
Gaziev enters that fight at 14-3 after a UFC run that has already included both significant wins and difficult setbacks. His unbeaten record eventually ended against Jairzinho Rozenstruik in 2024, and his recent results have shown how demanding the step from regional heavyweight competition to the UFC can be.
Watching the Stošić fight again provides useful context for the fighter who reached that level. Gaziev was still undefeated, carrying obvious confidence in his ability to pressure opponents and finish exchanges quickly. Against an experienced heavyweight in hostile territory, he did exactly that.
Darko Stošić remains a major name in European heavyweight MMA
The loss did little to remove Stošić from the European heavyweight picture. He continued competing across major regional promotions and is now part of Fight Nation Championship, where his combination of power, experience and local popularity has made him one of FNC’s most prominent heavyweights.
In May 2026, Stošić knocked out former UFC heavyweight Greg Hardy in the third round at FNC 31 in Belgrade. You can also watch the Darko Stošić vs. Greg Hardy full fight on MMAtown.
His next major assignment is even more important. Stošić challenges Hatef Moeil in the Stošić vs. Moeil heavyweight title fight at FNC 33 in Zagreb on September 12. Moeil enters as the FNC heavyweight champion, giving Stošić another opportunity to reach the top of a major European promotion.
A BRAVE heavyweight fight that aged well
More than three years later, Gaziev vs. Stošić looks more significant than it did simply as a BRAVE CF 69 co-main event. Gaziev used the victory as part of his route into the UFC, while Stošić remains involved in high-profile heavyweight fights across the European scene.
BRAVE CF has continued building its own international schedule as well, with BRAVE CF 108 next on the calendar. The card includes Andi Vrtacic vs. Sofiane Bouafia and Stephen Loman vs. Lasha Abramishvili, extending the promotion’s European run.
For Gaziev, though, the Belgrade fight remains an especially useful look back. Before the Contender Series contract and before his UFC heavyweight run, he had to get past one of Serbia’s most dangerous heavyweights on home soil. He did it in the opening round.