On June 21, 2025, Baku, Azerbaijan, witnessed a landmark moment in combat sports as it hosted its first-ever Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) tournament at the iconic Baku Crystal Hall. This historic event brought together a thrilling lineup of some of the world’s top mixed martial arts fighters, including several Azerbaijani athletes eager to make their mark on the global stage.
The night kicked off with six preliminary bouts starting at 8:00 p.m. local time, setting the tone for an electrifying evening. The main card, which began at 11:00 p.m. local time, featured a stacked fight card led by the highly anticipated light heavyweight clash between American contenders Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr.
Jamahal Hill, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, entered the octagon with a complex recent history. After an epic run that saw him knocking out former title challenger Thiago Santos and winning the vacant title against Glover Teixeira, Hill’s career took a downturn. A ruptured Achilles tendon sustained during a UFC basketball game in July 2023 sidelined him for months. His comeback fights have been challenging, including a knockout loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 300 and a subsequent knockout defeat in January 2025. Despite these setbacks, Hill remains a formidable fighter with an impressive striking rate of 7.05 significant strikes per minute and a +3.03 differential, although his 45% strike defense leaves him vulnerable.
His opponent, Khalil Rountree Jr., brought a different momentum to the fight. With a professional record of 14-6 and a recent 5-1 run, Rountree is known for his elite knockout power, having landed 13 knockdowns in 16 UFC fights. His striking accuracy hovers around 38%, and although he suffered a knockout loss to Alex Pereira in a title shot last October, his toughness and power make him a dangerous adversary. Both fighters are primarily stand-up specialists with no takedowns in the UFC, setting the stage for a striking war. VSiN analyst Britton Hess predicted a possible KO victory for Rountree, highlighting his one-punch knockout ability as a key factor, while other experts foresaw a hard-fought decision win for Hill after 25 minutes of intense action.
The co-main event featured lightweight contenders Rafael Fiziev and Ignacio Bahamondes. Fiziev, an Azerbaijani fighter, has faced adversity in recent years, including a devastating leg injury and a four-fight losing streak. Despite his sharp striking and unconventional style, his defense remains a concern. Bahamondes, standing tall at 6’2” with a 75.5-inch reach, is known for his high pace and finishing ability, boasting five finishes in six UFC wins. The matchup promised a fascinating contrast of styles, with Bahamondes’ reach and volume likely to challenge Fiziev’s precision. Betting trends favored Bahamondes, and experts predicted a knockout victory for the Chilean fighter, possibly propelling him into the lightweight top 15.
Heavyweight action saw Curtis Blaydes, a top contender with a 13-5 UFC record, face newcomer Rizvan Kuniev. Blaydes is renowned for his wrestling prowess, averaging 5.69 takedowns per 15 minutes, and has secured eight knockout wins. Kuniev, a former PFL standout with a controversial past due to a failed drug test, made his UFC debut after a first-round knockout in the Contender Series. While Kuniev’s power and aggression are notable, Blaydes’ experience and grappling skills made him the favorite, with analysts expecting a decision win for the veteran.
Azerbaijani fans were especially excited to see local fighters on the main card. Tofiq Musayev, a former RIZIN and Bellator standout with a professional record of 22-5 and 82% wins by knockout, made his UFC debut against Kyrgyzstan’s Myktybek Orolbai. Orolbai is known for his relentless pressure and high finish rate of 85% in victories. The bout was contested at a 165-pound catchweight, possibly to accommodate Orolbai. Analysts debated whether Musayev’s speed and striking would overcome Orolbai’s toughness and ground game. Predictions leaned towards Musayev securing a decision or a third-round finish, though concerns about rust after a year and a half of inactivity lingered.
Another local favorite, Nazim Sadykhov, entered the octagon against Brazil’s Nikolas Motta. Sadykhov, undefeated in the UFC with a 3-0-1 record and all wins by finish, impressed with his grappling and resilience despite subpar striking metrics. Motta, holding a 3-2 UFC record, possessed solid takedown defense and notable finishing power, having landed four knockdowns in the UFC. The fight was expected to be a standup battle, with Sadykhov’s technical prowess favored to earn a late first or early second-round finish.
Featherweight Muhammad Naimov, with a 4-1 UFC record, faced Austria’s Bogdan Grad, a promising newcomer who had impressed with a knockout win in his UFC debut. Naimov’s well-rounded skill set and takedown ability made him the favorite, with experts predicting a decision win over the aggressive Grad.
The preliminary card offered intriguing matchups as well. Oban Elliott, on an eight-fight win streak and undefeated in the UFC, took on UFC newcomer Seokhyun Ko. Elliott’s control and striking improvements made him the favorite. Middleweight Ismail Naurdiev, returning after a UFC cut and regional struggles, faced Jun Yong Park, a seasoned UFC fighter known for his wrestling and submission skills. Park was expected to assert control and secure a win. Women’s bantamweight bouts featured Melissa Mullins against Darya Zhelezniakova and Irina Alekseeva against Klaudia Sygula. Mullins, with a mixed UFC record but notable power, was predicted to prevail against Zhelezniakova, while Alekseeva’s grappling skills gave her the edge over the less experienced Sygula.
Flyweight Tagir Ulanbekov, a dominant grappler with a 5-1 UFC record and no knockout wins, faced Azat Maksum, a less experienced but aggressive fighter. Ulanbekov’s technical edge made him the favorite. In the heavyweight division, Mohammed Usman and Hamdy Abdelwahab squared off in a bout expected to be a grappling-heavy slog, with Abdelwahab’s wrestling and takedown success likely to determine the outcome.
The UFC Baku event marked a significant milestone for Azerbaijan’s combat sports scene. The mix of international stars and local talent provided fans with a thrilling night of fights broadcast across ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+. With major bouts like Hill vs. Rountree and Fiziev vs. Bahamondes headlining, the event showcased the global reach of the UFC and the growing prominence of Azerbaijan as a host city.
As the dust settles on this inaugural UFC tournament in Baku, the fighters’ performances will resonate beyond the octagon, influencing rankings, future matchups, and the careers of those involved. For fans and fighters alike, the night was a celebration of skill, heart, and the relentless pursuit of victory in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization.
