Bekzat Almakhan (1-2 UFC) will face Jean Matsumoto (3-2 UFC) on June 27 at UFC Baku. The matchup was announced by Almakhan on his social media accounts. Almakhan is looking to reverse his negative record inside the UFC octagon, while Matsumoto enters with a winning UFC record. Both fighters will be seeking to improve their standing in their respective division. The bout adds to the growing UFC Baku card scheduled for late June.
Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto have been booked to meet at UFC Baku on June 27, with Almakhan announcing the matchup across his social media accounts.
Almakhan, known as "The Turan Warrior," carries a 12-4-0 overall record into the fight but has struggled to find his footing inside the octagon, going 1-2 in his UFC appearances to date. The 28-year-old from Kazakhstan trains out of Triumph Fights and stands five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach. Fighting out of an orthodox stance, he lands 1.61 significant strikes per minute at a 34 percent accuracy rate, and has not registered any takedown or submission attempts in his UFC run so far.
Matsumoto arrives in a stronger position, holding a 3-2 UFC record as part of an impressive 18-2-0 career ledger. The 26-year-old Brazilian, who trains with Inside MMA, is five-foot-six with the same 68-inch reach as his opponent. He is considerably more active on the feet, averaging 5.37 significant strikes per minute at 39 percent accuracy, and also brings a grappling dimension with three takedowns per 15 minutes and half a submission attempt per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Almakhan desperately needs a win to avoid falling to 1-3 in the UFC, which could put his roster spot at risk.
- Matsumoto enters with both a winning UFC record and a well-rounded skillset, making this a meaningful step-up test for him.
- The striking volume gap between the two is stark, but Almakhan's ability to absorb pressure and Matsumoto's takedown threat adds a tactical wrinkle to the matchup.
- The bout further fills out the UFC Baku card, which is shaping up as a notable event for the promotion's continued expansion into new markets.
