Rafael Fiziev vs Manuel Torres headlines UFC Baku on June 27

The UFC has officially confirmed the main event for UFC Baku, with Rafael Fiziev set to take on Manuel Torres on June 27, 2026, in what marks the promotion's debut in Azerbaijan. The lightweight clash, previously the subject of rumors, is now locked in as the headliner.

Fiziev enters the bout carrying a 7-5 record inside the UFC. The Kyrgyzstan-born striker has long been regarded as one of the more dangerous standup fighters in the lightweight division, and this main event slot represents a significant opportunity to reassert himself in the rankings.

Torres, nicknamed "El Loco," brings an overall professional record of 17-4-0 and a 5-1 mark in the UFC. The 31-year-old Mexican fighter out of Entram Gym fights out of a switch stance and stands five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach. His numbers point to an aggressive, high-output style — he lands 7.29 significant strikes per minute at 59 percent accuracy, and also contributes on the ground with 1.72 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Torres's elite striking volume makes him a credible threat to any lightweight on the roster, and a win over Fiziev could push him firmly into the divisional rankings.
• The co-main event adds further weight to the card, with Shara Magomedov facing Michel Pereira in a middleweight contest.
• Magomedov, 32, fights out of Russia and carries a 17-1-0 record. He lands 5.93 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 62 percent accuracy, making him one of the most precise strikers in the division.
• Pereira, known as "Demolidor," is ranked 15th at middleweight and holds a 32-15-0 record. The 32-year-old Brazilian lands 4.46 significant strikes per minute and adds 1.21 takedowns per 15 minutes to his toolkit.

UFC Baku now has two compelling matchups anchoring its card, with both the main and co-main events official as of the announcement.