Bekzat Almakhan (1-2 UFC) will face Gene Matsumoto (3-2 UFC) at UFC Baku on June 27. The bout was announced through Almakhan's social media accounts. Both fighters are looking to improve their UFC records, with Almakhan seeking his second octagon victory after a 1-2 start, while Matsumoto enters with a 3-2 record. The matchup will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan. This represents an important opportunity for both bantamweights to gain momentum in the division.
Bekzat Almakhan and Gene Matsumoto have been booked for UFC Baku on June 27, with the bantamweight matchup announced via Almakhan's social media channels.
Almakhan, nicknamed "The Turan Warrior," carries a 12-4-0 overall record into the fight and holds a 1-2 mark inside the octagon. 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, though his striking accuracy sits at 34 percent in UFC competition. A second octagon win would give him real footing in the bantamweight division after a difficult start to his UFC tenure.
Matsumoto enters the contest with a 3-2 UFC record, making him the more established of the two fighters at this level. Further verified statistical data for Matsumoto was not available at time of publication.
Why it matters
- Almakhan needs a win to avoid falling to a 1-3 UFC record, which would put serious pressure on his roster spot
- Matsumoto, already at .500 in the UFC, has a chance to push above the breakeven mark and build genuine divisional momentum
- The bantamweight division at 135 pounds remains one of the most competitive in the promotion, meaning every win carries weight in the standings
- UFC Baku marks a rare event for Azerbaijan, giving both fighters a chance to perform on an international stage
