Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto will meet on June 27 at UFC Baku, with Almakhan announcing the matchup on his social media. Almakhan enters the bout with a 1-2 UFC record, while Matsumoto holds a 3-2 mark inside the octagon. The fight represents an important opportunity for both fighters to improve their standing in the UFC rankings. Almakhan is looking to bounce back from recent losses, while Matsumoto aims to build on his winning record. The bout has been confirmed as part of the UFC's planned event in Baku, Azerbaijan. No information on the weight class or card placement was specified in the announcement.
Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto have been booked to face each other at UFC Baku on June 27, with Almakhan making the announcement via social media. The event is set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, though neither the weight class nor card placement has been specified.
Almakhan, known as "The Turan Warrior," carries a 12-4-0 overall record into the bout and holds a 1-2 mark inside the Octagon. The 28-year-old from Kazakhstan trains out of Triumph Fights and competes out of an orthodox stance, standing five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach. He lands 1.61 significant strikes per minute at a 34 percent striking accuracy, and he is looking to reverse a run of recent losses and re-establish himself in the UFC.
Matsumoto brings a far busier offensive profile to the matchup. The 26-year-old Brazilian, who trains with Inside MMA, carries an 18-2-0 overall record and a 3-2 UFC ledger. Standing five-foot-six with a matching 68-inch reach, he produces 5.37 significant strikes per minute at 39 percent accuracy, while also averaging three takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.5 submission attempts in the same span — a well-rounded threat on the feet and on the mat.
Why it matters
- Almakhan needs a win to avoid further pressure on his UFC roster spot after back-to-back losses
- Matsumoto's winning UFC record and high output make him a meaningful step up in competition
- The striking volume gap between the two fighters sets up a potentially lopsided pace battle on the feet
- Matsumoto's takedown activity adds a grappling dimension that Almakhan, who averages zero takedowns per 15 minutes, will need to account for
