Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto will face off on June 27 at UFC Baku. Almakhan announced the matchup on his social media. Almakhan currently holds a 1-2 record in the UFC, while Matsumoto is 3-2 in the promotion. The fight adds another bout to the UFC's return to Baku, Azerbaijan.
Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto are set to clash at UFC Baku on June 27, with Almakhan announcing the matchup via his social media channels.
Almakhan, nicknamed "The Turan Warrior," carries a 12-4-0 overall record into the bout, going 1-2 inside the UFC so far. 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 averages 1.61 significant strikes landed per minute with a 34 percent striking accuracy, and has yet to record a takedown or submission attempt in his UFC appearances.
Matsumoto enters with considerably more momentum, holding an 18-2-0 record overall and a 3-2 mark in the promotion. The 26-year-old Brazilian, who represents Inside MMA, is slightly shorter at five-foot-six but shares the same 68-inch reach. His output is notably higher, averaging 5.37 significant strikes landed per minute at 39 percent accuracy. He also adds a grappling dimension to his game, averaging three takedowns per 15 minutes along with 0.5 submission attempts in the same span.
Why it matters
- Almakhan needs a victory to stabilize his UFC standing after a 1-2 start in the promotion.
- Matsumoto's 3-2 UFC record and aggressive output make him a meaningful test for anyone looking to climb the divisional ladder.
- The striking volume gap between the two fighters sets up a potentially telling stylistic contrast, with Matsumoto's grappling adding another layer of complexity.
- The bout adds further depth to the UFC's card as the promotion returns to Baku, Azerbaijan.
