Fiziev vs Torres officially set as UFC Baku main event for June 27

The UFC has officially announced Rafael Fiziev versus Manuel Torres as the main event of UFC Baku, set to take place on June 27 in Azerbaijan. The promotion also confirmed that Shara Bullet will face Michel Pereira in the co-main event, finalizing the top of what will be the UFC's first card in the country.

Fiziev, nicknamed "Ataman," represents the home region as a 33-year-old Kazakhstani competing out of Tiger Muay Thai. The seventh-ranked lightweight carries a 14-5 overall record and a 7-5 mark inside the octagon. He operates out of a switch stance and lands 4.71 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy, making him one of the more dynamic strikers in the 155-pound division.

Torres, known as "El Loco," enters with a 17-4 overall record and a 5-1 UFC ledger. The 31-year-old Mexican out of Entram Gym is one of the most aggressive finishers on the roster, posting a remarkable 7.29 significant strikes landed per minute at 59 percent accuracy. He also adds 1.72 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a more complete offensive threat than his knockout reputation alone suggests.

In the co-main event, Pereira — "Demolidor" — brings a 32-15 record and sits at number 15 in the middleweight rankings. The 32-year-old Brazilian trains out of Overcome Academy and lands 4.46 significant strikes per minute, with his unorthodox movement and athleticism a consistent problem for opponents throughout his UFC run.

Why it matters

• Fiziev is ranked seventh at lightweight and a main event win could push him back toward title contention
• Torres's elite striking output makes this a genuine style clash at the top of the card
• Pereira's middleweight ranking means a strong co-main event performance could move him up the division's ladder
• UFC Baku marks a significant expansion event for the promotion in the Caucasus region