Tahir Abdullayev made a successful UFC debut at UFC Baku, stopping Jefferson Nascimento by TKO in the third round. The 29-year-old Abdullayev improves to 20-3, with the victory marking his fifth consecutive win. Nascimento, who was also making his UFC debut in only his second fight in a month, suffered the first loss of his professional career, dropping to 13-1.
Tahir Abdullayev announced himself on the UFC stage in emphatic fashion, stopping Jefferson Nascimento by TKO in the third round at UFC Baku on June 27, 2026.
Abdullayev, known as "Tank," brought an impressive resume into his promotional debut. The 29-year-old Azerbaijani, who trains out of Phuket Top Team, improved his professional record to 20-3-0 with the victory, extending his winning streak to five consecutive fights. Standing five-foot-eight with a 73-inch reach, the orthodox fighter delivered a statement performance in front of what was likely a passionate home crowd in Baku.
Nascimento, nicknamed "Toddynho," entered his own UFC debut under unusual circumstances, having competed just one month earlier. The 27-year-old Brazilian out of Renovacao Fight Team came in undefeated at 13-0-0, making this his first professional loss. He stands five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach, giving Abdullayev a three-inch reach advantage on the night.
Why it matters
- Abdullayev's five-fight winning streak and 20-win record position him as an immediate contender to watch in his division.
- Nascimento's UFC debut ends in defeat despite arriving unbeaten, resetting expectations for his trajectory in the promotion.
- The reach and finishing ability Abdullayev displayed could make him a difficult stylistic puzzle for established names in the weight class.
