Bekzat Almakhan, who holds a 1-2 record in the UFC, will fight Jean Matsumoto, who has a 3-2 UFC record, at UFC Baku on June 27. The matchup was announced via Almakhan's social media accounts. This bout represents an important opportunity for both fighters to improve their standing within the organization. Almakhan is coming off losses and needs a win to reverse his UFC fortunes, while Matsumoto has a slightly better record. The post does not specify the weight class or position on the card for this fight.
Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto are set to collide at UFC Baku on June 27, with the matchup confirmed through Almakhan's social media channels. The weight class and card position have not yet been disclosed.
Almakhan, known as "The Turan Warrior," carries a 12-4-0 overall record into the bout, though his UFC tenure has been rocky with a 1-2 mark inside the organization. The 28-year-old from Kazakhstan trains out of Triumph Fights and stands five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach. He fights out of an orthodox stance and lands 1.61 significant strikes per minute at a 34 percent striking accuracy, registering no recorded takedown attempts in his UFC run to date.
Matsumoto enters with considerably more momentum, holding an 18-2-0 overall record and a 3-2 mark in the UFC. The 26-year-old Brazilian, who represents Inside MMA, stands five-foot-six and shares Almakhan's 68-inch reach. His numbers inside the octagon tell a more active story: he lands 5.37 significant strikes per minute at 39 percent accuracy, adds 3 takedowns per 15 minutes, and has recorded 0.5 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat on the feet and on the mat.
Why it matters
- Almakhan needs a victory to secure his position on the UFC roster after going 1-2 to open his tenure
- Matsumoto's superior output and grappling activity give the matchup a clear stylistic contrast
- A win for either fighter at a high-profile international event like UFC Baku could push them toward a divisional ranking, depending on the weight class ultimately confirmed
