Bekzat Almakhan (1-2 UFC) and Jean Matsumoto (3-2 UFC) will fight on June 27 at UFC Baku. Almakhan announced the matchup on his social media accounts. Both fighters are looking to improve their UFC records, with Almakhan currently having a losing record in the promotion while Matsumoto holds a winning mark. No additional details were provided about the weight class or positioning on the card. The announcement represents a standard matchup confirmation for the UFC's event in Azerbaijan.
Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto have been booked to face each other at UFC Baku on June 27, with Almakhan announcing the matchup through his social media channels. The event will take place in Azerbaijan, and no details regarding weight class or card positioning were disclosed alongside the announcement.
Almakhan, nicknamed "The Turan Warrior," is a 28-year-old from Kazakhstan who trains out of Triumph Fights. He carries an overall professional record of 12-4 and has gone 1-2 inside the UFC. Standing five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach, he fights out of an orthodox stance. His UFC output has been measured, landing 1.61 significant strikes per minute at a 34 percent striking accuracy rate, and he has recorded no takedown attempts in his Octagon appearances to date.
Matsumoto, a 26-year-old Brazilian competing out of Inside MMA, brings an impressive 18-2 professional record into the contest and holds a 3-2 mark in the UFC. He shares Almakhan's five-foot-six height and 68-inch reach, also standing orthodox. His striking volume stands out sharply, with 5.37 significant strikes landed per minute at 39 percent accuracy. He also contributes on the ground, averaging three takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.5 submission attempts over the same period.
Why it matters
- Almakhan enters needing a win to climb back to .500 inside the UFC, making this a must-win situation for the Kazakh prospect.
- Matsumoto's high-volume striking approach contrasts with Almakhan's more conservative output, setting up a clear stylistic dynamic.
- Matsumoto also brings a grappling dimension with his takedown and submission averages, giving him multiple paths to control the fight.
- A victory for either man at an international event like UFC Baku could push them toward more prominent matchups in their division.
