Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto will fight on June 27 at UFC Baku. Almakhan, who holds a 1-2 UFC record, announced the matchup on his social media. Matsumoto brings a 3-2 UFC record into the bout. No information was provided about the weight class or whether this fight will be featured on the main card. This represents an important opportunity for both fighters to improve their standing within the organization.
Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto are set to clash at UFC Baku on June 27, with Almakhan announcing the matchup via social media. No weight class has been confirmed, nor has either fighter's placement on the card been disclosed.
Almakhan, known as "The Turan Warrior," carries a 12-4-0 overall record and a 1-2 mark inside the UFC. The 28-year-old from Kazakhstan trains out of Triumph Fights and stands five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach. He fights out of an orthodox stance and lands 1.61 significant strikes per minute, posting a striking accuracy of 34 percent across his octagon appearances.
Matsumoto enters the bout as the busier and more decorated fighter on paper, holding an 18-2-0 record with a 3-2 UFC ledger. The 26-year-old Brazilian, representing Inside MMA, matches Almakhan in height at five-foot-six and shares the same 68-inch reach. He outputs an aggressive 5.37 significant strikes per minute at 39 percent accuracy, and also adds a grappling dimension with three takedowns per 15 minutes and half a submission attempt per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Almakhan at 1-2 in the UFC needs a win to solidify his place on the roster, making this a near must-win situation for the Kazakhstani.
- Matsumoto's 3-2 UFC record suggests a step up in consistency could push him toward ranked territory depending on the division.
- The striking volume contrast is stark — Matsumoto lands more than three times as many significant strikes per minute, setting up a potentially lopsided pace battle.
- Both fighters share identical reach at 68 inches, removing any physical leverage advantage in that department.
