Bekzat Almakhan (1-2 UFC) will face Gene Matsumoto (3-2 UFC) at UFC Baku on June 27. The matchup was confirmed by Almakhan through his social media channels. Both fighters are looking to improve their standing in the UFC after mixed results in their recent bouts. Almakhan is seeking to reverse his losing record inside the octagon, while Matsumoto aims to build on his winning UFC record. The bout represents an important opportunity for both competitors to establish momentum.
Bekzat Almakhan and Gene Matsumoto have been booked to meet at UFC Baku on June 27, with the pairing confirmed by Almakhan himself through his social media channels.
Almakhan, nicknamed "The Turan Warrior," enters the bout carrying a 12-4-0 professional record, though he has gone 1-2 inside the octagon. The 28-year-old from Kazakhstan trains out of Triumph Fights and competes as an orthodox fighter. Standing five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach, he lands 1.61 significant strikes per minute at a 34 percent striking accuracy rate. A win at UFC Baku would go a long way toward stabilizing his footing in the promotion.
Matsumoto holds a 3-2 mark in the UFC and enters this contest with the better record inside the organization. Specific verified data for Matsumoto was not available at the time of this report, but his UFC ledger gives him a measurable edge in octagon experience heading into the matchup.
Why it matters
- Almakhan needs a victory to avoid falling to a 1-3 UFC record, which would put significant pressure on his roster spot
- Matsumoto will look to push further above .500 in the UFC and build genuine divisional momentum
- The bout offers both fighters a meaningful opportunity to establish credibility at a high-profile international event in Baku
