Rafael Fiziev and Manuel Torres are booked for a June 27 UFC Fight Night in Baku, Azerbaijan, according to the latest CBS Sports 2026 schedule. While the division listing is still marked as TBA, Fiziev has been a prominent lightweight contender and Torres a dangerous finisher, suggesting another high‑stakes matchup at 155 pounds. The event marks a notable expansion into Azerbaijan for the promotion and continues its push into new international markets. With main‑event details yet to be fully confirmed, this bout is currently the key attraction on the card. Fans should expect further lineup announcements as the date approaches.
Rafael Fiziev and Manuel Torres have been booked to face each other at a UFC Fight Night event scheduled for June 27 in Baku, Azerbaijan, according to the CBS Sports 2026 schedule. The bout is expected to take place at lightweight, and the pairing currently stands as the marquee attraction on the card.
Fiziev, nicknamed "Ataman," is a 33-year-old Kazakhstani fighter who holds a professional record of 14-5 and is currently ranked seventh in the UFC's lightweight division. He trains out of Tiger Muay Thai and competes out of a switch stance, standing five-foot-eight with a 71-inch reach. He averages 4.71 significant strikes per minute with a 52 percent striking accuracy, and he has recorded no submission attempts in his UFC tenure, underlining his identity as a pure striker.
Torres, known as "El Loco," is a 31-year-old Mexican finisher out of Entram Gym with a 17-4 record. He is one of the more prolific strikers in the lightweight division, 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 versatile offensive toolkit than his knockout reputation alone might suggest.
Why it matters
- Fiziev's ranking at number seven makes this a meaningful lightweight contender bout with potential title-picture implications
- Torres's elite striking output against Fiziev's technical Muay Thai background sets up a compelling stand-up contest
- The event represents the UFC's continued push into new international markets, with Baku marking the promotion's expansion into Azerbaijan
- Both fighters compete from a switch stance, adding a tactical wrinkle to an already intriguing stylistic matchup
