Abdul-Rahman Yahyaev to face Julius Walker at UFC Baku on June 27

Abdul-Rahman Yahyaev and Julius Walker are set to collide in the light heavyweight division at UFC Baku on June 27, 2026, with the matchup reported by Marcel Dorff.

Yahyaev enters the bout carrying a perfect 2-0 record inside the octagon, making this his third UFC appearance. The 205-pound division remains fiercely competitive, and a third consecutive victory would go a long way toward establishing him as a legitimate presence in the weight class.

Julius Walker, known as "Juice Box," brings a professional record of 7-3-0 into this contest, having gone 1-2 through his first three UFC outings. The 26-year-old American, who trains out of Team Fusion, stands six-foot-four with a 78-inch reach — a significant physical presence at light heavyweight. Walker fights out of an orthodox stance and has shown a well-rounded offensive profile in his UFC tenure, landing 3.73 significant strikes per minute at a 53 percent striking accuracy while also averaging an impressive 4.09 takedowns per 15 minutes. That combination of output on the feet and activity on the ground makes him a multi-dimensional threat.

Why it matters

• Yahyaev has a chance to extend his unbeaten UFC run to 3-0, which would push him firmly into ranking conversations at 205 pounds.
• Walker, at 1-2 in the UFC, needs a victory to stabilize his position on the roster after back-to-back setbacks.
• Walker's physical advantages — a six-foot-four frame and a 78-inch reach — set up an interesting contrast in styles against an opponent still building his UFC profile.
• A win for either man in a UFC Baku main card setting carries added visibility that could accelerate a climb through the division.