Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto will face each other on June 27 at UFC Baku. Almakhan announced the matchup on his social media. Almakhan currently holds a 1-2 record in the UFC, while Matsumoto stands at 3-2 in the promotion. The bout represents an important opportunity for both fighters to improve their standing in the organization. No weight class or additional fight details were specified in the announcement. UFC Baku will mark the promotion's event in Azerbaijan's capital city.
Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto have been booked to meet at UFC Baku on June 27, with Almakhan announcing the matchup through his social media channels. The event will mark the UFC's first venture into Azerbaijan's capital city. No weight class was specified in the announcement.
Almakhan, known as "The Turan Warrior," is a 28-year-old Kazakhstani fighter out of Triumph Fights. He carries a professional record of 12-4 and holds a 1-2 mark inside the UFC. Standing five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach, he fights out of the orthodox stance and lands 1.61 significant strikes per minute at a 34 percent striking accuracy rate.
Matsumoto enters the bout with considerably more UFC momentum, sitting at 3-2 inside the promotion and 18-2 overall. The 26-year-old Brazilian trains with Inside MMA and is also orthodox, matching Almakhan at five-foot-six and a 68-inch reach. His output stands out significantly, with 5.37 significant strikes landed per minute at 39 percent accuracy. He also adds a grappling dimension, averaging three takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.5 submission attempts in the same span.
Why it matters
- Almakhan, at 1-2 in the UFC, needs a win to remain on the roster and justify continued promotion
- Matsumoto at 3-2 is looking to push into contention territory with a statement performance
- The striking output gap is stark — Matsumoto's volume dwarfs Almakhan's, though Almakhan will have a height advantage
- Matsumoto's takedown activity adds a multi-dimensional threat that Almakhan's UFC record shows little answer to so far
