Bekzat Almakhan (UFC 1-2) and Jean Matsumoto (UFC 3-2) will fight on June 27 at UFC Baku. The matchup was announced by Almakhan on his social media accounts. This bout represents an important opportunity for both fighters to improve their UFC records. Almakhan is looking to reverse a difficult start to his UFC career with only one win in three fights, while Matsumoto holds a more balanced 3-2 record in the promotion. The fight will take place in Baku as part of the UFC's continued expansion into different international markets.
Bekzat Almakhan and Jean Matsumoto are set to collide at UFC Baku on June 27, with Almakhan announcing the matchup through his social media accounts.
Almakhan, nicknamed "The Turan Warrior," enters the fight looking to turn around a tough stretch in the UFC. The 28-year-old Kazakhstani carries an overall professional record of 12-4 and holds a 1-2 mark inside the promotion. Fighting out of Triumph Fights in an orthodox stance, Almakhan stands five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach. His UFC output has been measured, averaging 1.61 significant strikes landed per minute at a 34 percent striking accuracy rate, with minimal activity in the grappling department.
Matsumoto presents a notably different profile. The 26-year-old Brazilian, training out of Inside MMA, arrives with an 18-2 overall record and a 3-2 showing in the UFC. He stands five-foot-six with the same 68-inch reach as his opponent and brings considerably higher offensive volume, averaging 5.37 significant strikes landed per minute at 39 percent accuracy. Matsumoto also adds a grappling dimension, averaging three takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.5 submission attempts in that same span.
Why it matters
- Both fighters are at a crossroads in their UFC tenures and badly need a win to build momentum
- Matsumoto's significantly higher striking volume and takedown threat could expose Almakhan's more conservative output
- The bout adds to UFC Baku's growing card as the promotion continues expanding into new international markets
- A win for either man could provide a springboard out of the mid-tier and toward more prominent UFC matchups
