Bekzat Almakhan and Joanderson Balu Matsumoto will fight on June 27 at UFC Baku. Almakhan announced the bout on his social media. Almakhan holds a 1-2 UFC record while Matsumoto is 3-2 in the promotion. The matchup represents an important opportunity for both fighters to improve their standing. The fight is officially scheduled for the Azerbaijan card.
Bekzat Almakhan and Joanderson Balu Matsumoto have been booked to meet at UFC Baku on June 27, with Almakhan announcing the featherweight matchup on his social media channels.
Almakhan, known as "The Turan Warrior," enters the bout at 12-4-0 overall and holds a 1-2 record 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, he averages 1.61 significant strikes landed per minute, though his striking accuracy sits at 34 percent. The UFC Baku card represents a meaningful opportunity for him to get back on the winning side of the ledger in the promotion.
Matsumoto brings a 3-2 UFC record into the contest, giving him a slight edge in promotional experience. Further verified data on the Brazilian was not immediately available.
Why it matters
- Almakhan at 1-2 in the UFC needs a win to strengthen his foothold on the roster
- Matsumoto's 3-2 UFC record suggests he has navigated the promotion's learning curve with moderate success, making him a credible test
- The Azerbaijan card gives both fighters a high-profile platform with a growing international audience
- A victory for either man could push him into more meaningful divisional conversations
