Bekzat Almakhan will face Gene Matsumoto at UFC Baku on June 27th. Almakhan enters the bout with a 1-2 UFC record, while Matsumoto holds a 3-2 record in the promotion. The matchup was announced via Almakhan's social media channels. This represents an important fight for both competitors, with Almakhan looking to improve his UFC standing and Matsumoto aiming to build on his winning record. The bout adds to the growing card for the UFC's event in Baku, Azerbaijan. Both fighters will be seeking to establish momentum in their respective UFC careers.
Bekzat Almakhan and Gene Matsumoto have been booked to meet at UFC Baku on June 27, with the matchup revealed through Almakhan's social media channels.
Almakhan, known as "The Turan Warrior," enters the contest carrying a 1-2 record inside the UFC from an overall professional mark of 12-4. The 28-year-old Kazakhstani fighter trains out of Triumph Fights and competes as an orthodox striker. Standing five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach, Almakhan lands 1.61 significant strikes per minute, though his striking accuracy sits at 34 percent. He has registered no takedown or submission activity in his UFC appearances, suggesting he keeps his work primarily on the feet.
Matsumoto brings a 3-2 UFC record into the contest and holds the better promotional ledger of the two. Verified statistical data for Matsumoto was not available at the time of publication.
Why it matters
- Almakhan needs a victory to avoid slipping further in UFC standings after going 1-2 in his first three promotional appearances
- Matsumoto, sitting above .500 in the UFC, will look to push his record to four wins within the organization and separate himself from the pack
- The bout adds further depth to the UFC's card in Baku, Azerbaijan, which continues to grow ahead of its June date
