Bekzat Almakhan vs Jean Matsumoto set for UFC Baku on June 27

Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto are set to meet at UFC Baku on June 27, with the matchup confirmed through Almakhan's social media channels.

Almakhan, known as "The Turan Warrior," carries a 12-4-0 overall record into the fight, though he has struggled to find consistency inside the Octagon, going 1-2 in his UFC tenure. 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, Almakhan lands 1.61 significant strikes per minute at a 34 percent accuracy rate, suggesting a measured, selective approach on the feet.

Matsumoto presents a sharply contrasting profile. The 26-year-old Brazilian has gone 3-2 inside the UFC against an overall record of 18-2-0, and he brings considerably more output to the cage. Fighting out of Inside MMA, the five-foot-six orthodox striker lands 5.37 significant strikes per minute at 39 percent accuracy, making him one of the busier fighters at his weight class. He also adds a wrestling dimension, averaging three takedowns per 15 minutes alongside half a submission attempt per 15 minutes, giving him multiple paths to finish a fight.

Why it matters

• Almakhan needs a win to avoid falling to 1-3 in the UFC, a record that typically puts roster spots under pressure
• Matsumoto, with a 3-2 UFC mark and strong finishing tools, is positioning himself for a push toward the divisional rankings
• The striking volume gap between the two is significant — Matsumoto's high-pace output against Almakhan's selective game sets up a compelling stylistic contrast
• Both fighters share identical reach at 68 inches, keeping the physical matchup close despite their different approaches