Bekzat Almakhan and Gene Matsumoto will meet on June 27 at UFC Baku. Almakhan announced the fight through his social media channels. Almakhan currently holds a 1-2 record in the UFC, while Matsumoto has a 3-2 record in the promotion. The post includes a poll asking fans to predict the winner. No additional details about the bout were disclosed.
Bekzat Almakhan and Gene Matsumoto are set to collide at UFC Baku on June 27, with Almakhan confirming the matchup through his social media channels.
Almakhan, known as "The Turan Warrior," enters the bout with an overall professional record of 12-4 and a 1-2 mark inside the UFC. The 28-year-old from Kazakhstan trains out of Triumph Fights and competes as an orthodox striker standing five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach. His UFC numbers show a measured approach on the feet, landing 1.61 significant strikes per minute at a 34 percent striking accuracy.
Matsumoto carries a 3-2 record in the promotion, though no additional career details were available at the time of announcement.
Why it matters
- Almakhan is looking to bounce back from a 1-2 UFC start and build momentum on home soil in Baku
- Matsumoto holds the experience edge in terms of UFC wins, making this a meaningful measuring-stick fight for both men
- The bout adds to what promises to be a significant card for the region as the UFC makes its debut in Azerbaijan
Almakhan's social media post accompanying the announcement included a fan poll asking followers to predict the winner, adding an interactive element to what is shaping up as a compelling featherweight or bantamweight contest.
