BAKU: UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, will make its debut in Azerbaijan with a main event featuring former UFC light heavyweight champion and No. 4-ranked contender Jamahal Hill against No. 7-ranked Khalil Rountree Jr.
In partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Baku City Circuit Operations Company, the UFC event will be on Saturday, June 21 at the Baku Crystal Hall.
The partnership was announced at a signing ceremony with Dana White, the UFC president and CEO, and Azerbaijan Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov in Miami before UFC 314 last Saturday.
“Azerbaijan and the city of Baku have an incredible history of hosting massive global sporting events,” White said. “We have so many great athletes from in and around this country that it was a natural next destination for us. I’m excited to have our debut event there on June 21.”
Gayibov emphasized the significance of the event in advancing Azerbaijan’s role in the international sports community.
“Hosting UFC in Baku marks another significant milestone in our efforts to develop Azerbaijan as a regional sports leader,” he said. “Thanks to President Ilham Aliyev’s unwavering support and attention, along with his successful sports policy, Azerbaijan has gained international recognition in the world of sports — and the city of Baku has established itself as a key hub for major global sporting events.
“This partnership with UFC further strengthens our reputation as a global sports hub, showcasing our commitment to sports development and international cooperation.”
Former champion Hill (12-3 1NC, from Michigan, US) aims to make a quick return to the Octagon for his second bout of 2025. The first Dana White’s Contender Series alum to become an undisputed UFC champion, his route to the title included wins over Thiago Santos, Johnny Walker and Jimmy Crute. Hill now plans to make a statement against Rountree Jr. and turn his attention to the championship picture.
Rountree Jr. (14-6 1NC) competes for the first time since his valiant Fight of the Night effort against Alex Pereira at UFC 307 in October. A devastating striker with 9 of his 13 wins coming by way of KO, Rountree Jr. has entertained fans with victories over Chris Daukaus, Karl Roberson and Modestas Bukauskas. He now looks to take Hill’s spot in the top five with another signature performance.
Also featuring on a stacked card will be the return of Kyoji Horiguchi (34-5) as he aims to become the first Japanese UFC champion. Standing in his way will be No.10-ranked Russian flyweight Tagir Ulanbekov (16-2) who is training under former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and also has his eyes on the top of the flyweight division.
Expect fireworks as heavyweights collide with No.5 ranked Curtis Blaydes (18-5) taking on Dana White’s Contender Series standout Rizvan Kuniev (13-2-1) who will be looking to make a statement in his Octagon debut.
Additional bouts on the card include:
Middleweight: Ismail Naurdiev, Austria/Morocco (24-7) vs. Junyong Park, South Korea (18-6).
Heavyweight: Hamdy Abdelwahab, Egypt (6-0) vs. Mohammed Usman, Nigeria/US (10-4).
Bantamweight: Irina Alekseeva, Russia (5-2) vs. Klaudia Sygula, Poland (6-2).
Bantamweight: Daria Zhelezniakova, Russia (9-2) vs. Melissa Mullins, England (7-1).
