Bantamweights Bekzat Almakhan (1-2 UFC) and Jean Matsumoto (3-2 UFC) will meet at UFC Baku on June 27. Almakhan announced the bout on his social media channels. The matchup pits two fighters with contrasting UFC records, with Matsumoto holding the winning record while Almakhan seeks to reverse his fortunes after a difficult start in the promotion. UFC Baku represents the organization's continued expansion into Azerbaijan and the broader Caucasus region. The bout adds to the developing card for the late June event, though further matchups for UFC Baku have not yet been announced.
Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto will collide at bantamweight when UFC Baku takes place on June 27, with Almakhan announcing the matchup across his social media channels.
Almakhan, known as "The Turan Warrior," enters the fight carrying a 12-4-0 overall record and a 1-2 mark 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 stint has been a tough initiation, and the Baku card — held in a region not far from his home country — presents a meaningful opportunity to reverse that trajectory. His output numbers reflect a measured approach, landing 1.61 significant strikes per minute at a 34 percent accuracy rate.
Matsumoto brings a considerably busier offensive game to the cage. The 26-year-old Brazilian from Inside MMA owns an 18-2-0 overall record and has gone 3-2 through five UFC appearances, giving him the stronger ledger inside the promotion. He stands five-foot-six with a matching 68-inch reach and operates at a high pace, landing 5.37 significant strikes per minute at 39 percent accuracy. He also contributes on the mat, averaging three takedowns per 15 minutes and half a submission attempt per 15 minutes, making him a genuine multi-dimensional threat.
Why it matters
- Almakhan needs a win to avoid falling to 1-3 in the UFC, a record that would put his roster spot under pressure
- Matsumoto's output and grappling versatility create a stylistic contrast against Almakhan's more conservative striking approach
- UFC Baku marks the organization's continued push into Azerbaijan and the wider Caucasus region, giving Almakhan a degree of regional home-crowd support
- A win for either fighter would strengthen their standing in a bantamweight division with plenty of movement across the rankings
