Bekzat Almakhan (1-2 UFC) will face Gene Matsumoto (3-2 UFC) at UFC Baku on June 27. The matchup was announced via Almakhan's social media accounts. Almakhan enters with a 1-2 record in the UFC, while Matsumoto holds a 3-2 promotional record. Both fighters will be looking to improve their standings in the bantamweight division. The fight is part of the UFC's first event in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Bekzat Almakhan and Gene Matsumoto have been booked for UFC Baku on June 27, with the bantamweight matchup announced through Almakhan's social media channels. The event marks the UFC's first venture into Baku, Azerbaijan.
Almakhan, known as "The Turan Warrior," carries a 12-4-0 overall professional record and sits at 1-2 inside the UFC. The 28-year-old from Kazakhstan trains out of Triumph Fights and competes as an orthodox striker at five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach. His UFC numbers show he lands 1.61 significant strikes per minute at a 34 percent striking accuracy rate, figures that suggest he will be looking to sharpen his output as he fights for his promotional footing.
Matsumoto enters with a 3-2 record under the UFC banner, giving him more experience within the promotion than his opponent. Specific verified statistics for Matsumoto were not available at time of publication.
Why it matters
- Both fighters are on the fringe of the bantamweight division and in need of a win to solidify their UFC standing
- A loss for either man would put serious pressure on their place on the roster
- The card carries added significance as the UFC makes its debut in Azerbaijan, giving the event a broader promotional spotlight
