Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto will meet on June 27 at UFC Baku, as announced by Almakhan on his social media. Almakhan brings a 1-2 UFC record into the bout, while Matsumoto holds a 3-2 record with the promotion. Both fighters are looking to improve their standing within the organization. The matchup represents an opportunity for Almakhan to get back into the win column after losses, while Matsumoto seeks to build on his winning record. This bout will take place on the UFC's event in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto are set to collide at UFC Baku on June 27, with Almakhan announcing the matchup via social media. The event takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, and pits two fighters who each have something to prove inside the octagon.
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, the orthodox striker lands 1.61 significant strikes per minute at a 34 percent accuracy rate. He has not recorded a takedown or submission attempt in his UFC tenure, suggesting a primarily stand-up approach, and enters this fight looking to halt a skid and find his footing in the promotion.
Matsumoto, 26, represents Brazil and trains out of Inside MMA. His overall record stands at an impressive 18-2, and he has gone 3-2 since joining the UFC. At five-foot-six with a matching 68-inch reach, the orthodox fighter is a high-output striker, averaging 5.37 significant strikes per minute at 39 percent accuracy. He also adds a grappling dimension to his game, averaging three takedowns per 15 minutes along with half a submission attempt per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat.
Why it matters
- Almakhan must reverse a losing trend in the UFC or risk further roster pressure at just 1-2 with the promotion
- Matsumoto's 3-2 UFC record means a victory could push him toward a more prominent position in the division
- The striking output gap between the two is notable, with Matsumoto averaging more than three times the significant strikes per minute of Almakhan
- Both men share identical reach, setting up a tight, competitive physical matchup
