Fiziev vs Torres to headline UFC Baku on June 27

Rafael Fiziev will clash with Manuel Torres in the main event of UFC Baku on June 27, headlining the promotion's event in Azerbaijan. Michel Pereira and Shara Bullet will compete in the co-main event.

Fiziev, known by the nickname "Ataman," enters the fight ranked seventh in the lightweight division. The 33-year-old Kazakhstani, who trains out of Tiger Muay Thai, carries a 14-5 overall record and a switch-stance striking game that has produced 4.71 significant strikes landed per minute at 52 percent accuracy. He stands five-foot-eight with a 71-inch reach.

Torres, nicknamed "El Loco," brings a 17-4 record and one of the most eye-catching output rates in the division. The 31-year-old Mexican out of Entram Gym lands 7.29 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 59 percent accuracy, making him one of the busiest and most efficient strikers in the lightweight ranks. He also averages 1.72 takedowns per 15 minutes, adding a threat on the ground to his dangerous stand-up. Torres stands five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach and fights out of a switch stance.

In the co-main event, Pereira brings his "Demolidor" persona to the middleweight division, where the 32-year-old Brazilian sits ranked 15th. He holds a 32-15 record and averages 4.46 significant strikes per minute for Overcome Academy. At six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach, Pereira provides an imposing physical frame for his orthodox style.

Why it matters

• Fiziev at number seven in lightweight is a high-stakes fight that could push either man toward title contention
• Torres's extraordinary striking volume sets up a compelling style clash against a seasoned switch-stance veteran
• UFC Baku represents a continued push into new markets, with a main event built around two dynamic lightweight strikers