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 has compiled a 3-2 mark with the promotion. The bout represents an important opportunity for both fighters to improve their standing in their division. No additional details about the weight class or position on the card were provided in the announcement.
Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto are set to collide at UFC Baku on June 27, with Almakhan revealing the matchup through his social media channels. No weight class or card position was disclosed in the announcement.
Almakhan, known as "The Turan Warrior," carries a 12-4-0 overall record and sits at 1-2 inside the UFC. The 28-year-old orthodox striker from Kazakhstan trains out of Triumph Fights and stands five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach. His UFC tenure has been measured so far, averaging 1.61 significant strikes landed per minute at a 34 percent striking accuracy.
Matsumoto enters the bout with considerably more momentum, holding an 18-2-0 professional record and a 3-2 mark in the UFC. The 26-year-old Brazilian out of Inside MMA is one inch shorter than Almakhan at five-foot-six but shares the same 68-inch reach. He has been notably active on the feet, landing 5.37 significant strikes per minute at 39 percent accuracy, and adds a consistent grappling threat with three takedowns per 15 minutes and half a submission attempt per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Both fighters are on the bubble in their respective UFC tenures, making a win critical for continued roster standing
- Matsumoto's high striking volume and takedown output present a multidimensional challenge for Almakhan's more measured approach
- The identical reach measurements set up a technically intriguing striking matchup between two orthodox competitors
- A victory for either man could shift their divisional trajectory heading into the second half of 2026
