Bekzat Almakhan (1-2 in UFC) and Jean Matsumoto (3-2 in UFC) will face each other on June 27 at UFC Baku. Almakhan personally announced the matchup on his social media accounts. Both fighters are looking to improve their UFC records in what represents an important opportunity for each competitor. The bout will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, continuing UFC's expansion into the region. This represents Almakhan's fourth UFC appearance and Matsumoto's sixth octagon outing. Further card details for UFC Baku have not been fully revealed.
Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto have been booked to meet at UFC Baku on June 27, with Almakhan himself breaking the news through his social media channels.
Almakhan, known as "The Turan Warrior," enters the contest holding a 12-4-0 overall record and sits at 1-2 through his first three UFC appearances. 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 the orthodox stance and lands 1.61 significant strikes per minute, carrying a striking accuracy of 34 percent across his UFC outings.
Matsumoto brings a notably cleaner overall ledger, standing 18-2-0 heading into what will be his sixth octagon appearance, where he holds a 3-2 mark. The 26-year-old Brazilian out of Inside MMA is similarly sized at five-foot-six with the same 68-inch reach as his opponent. His UFC numbers tell a high-volume striking story — 5.37 significant strikes landed per minute at 39 percent accuracy — while he also contributes on the ground with three takedowns per 15 minutes and half a submission attempt per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Both fighters need a win to build momentum, with Almakhan looking to climb above .500 in the UFC and Matsumoto aiming to return to winning ways.
- The matching 68-inch reaches set up a tight, technical range battle between two orthodox strikers.
- Matsumoto's significantly higher striking output and takedown activity contrasts with Almakhan's more measured approach, creating a clear stylistic question at the center of the bout.
- The card continues the UFC's push into Azerbaijan, giving the promotion another high-profile event in the region.
