Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto will face each other on June 27 at UFC Baku. The bout was announced by Almakhan on his social media accounts. Almakhan brings a 1-2 UFC record into the contest, while Matsumoto holds a 3-2 record with the promotion. Both fighters are looking to improve their standing in the UFC. The post included a poll asking fans to predict the winner of the matchup.
Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto have been booked to meet at UFC Baku on June 27, with the Kazakh fighter announcing the matchup through his social media channels and inviting fans to predict the outcome.
Almakhan, known as "The Turan Warrior," enters the contest at 12-4-0 overall and carries a 1-2 record inside the UFC. The 28-year-old orthodox fighter from Kazakhstan trains out of Triumph Fights and stands five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach. His output has been measured inside the octagon, averaging 1.61 significant strikes per minute at a 34 percent accuracy rate, and he has not registered takedown attempts at the UFC level.
Matsumoto brings considerably more volume to the pairing. The 26-year-old Brazilian holds an 18-2-0 record and has gone 3-2 with the promotion under the Inside MMA banner. Standing five-foot-six with an identical 68-inch reach, Matsumoto is an aggressive orthodox striker who averages 5.37 significant strikes per minute at 39 percent accuracy — a notably high output for the division. He also contributes on the ground, averaging three takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.5 submission attempts in the same span, giving him a well-rounded threat profile.
Why it matters
- Both fighters are on the wrong side of .500 in the UFC and need a win to solidify their roster standing
- Matsumoto's high strike output and takedown activity contrast sharply with Almakhan's more conservative pace, creating a clear stylistic contrast
- With matching reach and a single-inch height difference, the physical tools are nearly identical, putting game planning and pace at a premium
