The UFC has officially announced that Rafael Fiziev will face Manuel Torres in the main event of UFC Baku on June 27, 2026. Fiziev holds a 7-5 record in the UFC, while Torres enters the bout with a 5-1 promotional record. The announcement was made on May 5, 2026, confirming the lightweight matchup as the marquee fight for the Baku card. This will mark a significant test for both fighters as they look to climb the lightweight rankings. The post invited fan predictions on the outcome.
The UFC has officially announced Rafael Fiziev versus Manuel Torres as the main event of UFC Baku, scheduled for June 27, 2026. The lightweight matchup was confirmed on May 5, 2026, and serves as the marquee bout for the promotion's event in Azerbaijan.
Fiziev, nicknamed "Ataman," carries a 14-5 overall record and is currently ranked seventh in the lightweight division. The 33-year-old Kazakh fighter trains out of Tiger Muay Thai and competes out of a switch stance. Standing five-foot-eight with a 71-inch reach, he lands 4.71 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy. Notably, he has recorded zero submission attempts per 15 minutes, underscoring his commitment to a striking-based approach.
Torres, known as "El Loco," brings a 17-4 overall record and a 5-1 mark inside the UFC into this fight. The 31-year-old Mexican fighter, based out of Entram Gym, is a fellow switch-stance competitor who stands five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach. Torres is one of the more prolific volume strikers on the roster, landing 7.29 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 59 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.72 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a more layered offensive game.
Why it matters
- Fiziev's ranking means a strong performance from either fighter could significantly shake up the top ten at lightweight.
- Torres's superior striking volume and accuracy set up an intriguing contrast against Fiziev's technically polished Muay Thai base.
- Torres adds a takedown dimension averaging 1.72 per 15 minutes, while Fiziev's defensive wrestling awareness will be tested on a big-event stage.
- A win for either man in a main event setting in Baku would represent a major career-defining statement in a congested division.
