Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto will face each other on June 27 at UFC Baku, according to an announcement Almakhan made on his social media. Almakhan enters the bout with a 1-2 UFC record, while Matsumoto holds a 3-2 record in the promotion. The fight represents an important opportunity for both fighters to improve their standing in the UFC. Neither fighter is currently riding momentum, making this a crucial matchup for their respective futures with the organization.
Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto are set to meet at UFC Baku on June 27, with Almakhan announcing the matchup via his social media channels.
Almakhan, a 28-year-old from Kazakhstan competing out of Triumph Fights, carries a 12-4-0 overall record and a 1-2 mark inside the UFC. Known as "The Turan Warrior," the orthodox striker stands five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach. His output in the promotion has been measured, averaging 1.61 significant strikes per minute at a 34 percent accuracy rate, and he has not registered any takedown or submission activity in UFC competition.
Matsumoto brings a considerably more active offensive profile to the fight. The 26-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of Inside MMA, holds an 18-2-0 professional record and a 3-2 UFC ledger. He is the same height and reach as Almakhan at five-foot-six and 68 inches respectively, but his numbers inside the cage tell a different story — he averages 5.37 significant strikes per minute at 39 percent accuracy, and adds a grappling dimension with three takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.5 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Both fighters sit below the .500 mark in the UFC, making a loss potentially damaging to their roster standing
- Matsumoto's volume striking and takedown activity creates a stark style contrast against Almakhan's more measured approach
- A win for either man would represent back-to-back UFC victories for the first time in their respective tenures with the promotion
