Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to stage UFC Baku later today, June 27, 2026, in Baku, Azerbaijan, according to MMA Mania. The event will be headlined by a Lightweight fight featuring Rafael Fiziev against Manuel Torres. Shara Magomedov and Michel Pereira will co-headline in a Middleweight bout.
What happened
UFC Baku is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. ET on Paramount+, with a main event featuring Rafael Fiziev facing Manuel Torres. This Lightweight match is set for five rounds. The co-main event will see Shara Magomedov square off against Michel Pereira in a high-stakes Middleweight clash.
Fiziev has faced challenges recently, losing four of his last five fights. Despite this, he maintains his No. 11 ranking in the division, which he hopes to defend with a victory over Torres. “I need to put my losses behind me,” Fiziev commented, emphasizing the importance of this fight.
Torres, ranked No. 15, has recently made waves in the Lightweight division, finishing all his opponents in the first round since joining UFC. A win over Fiziev would significantly elevate his standing. “I have nothing to lose, and I’m ready to fight hard,” Torres remarked during the weigh-ins.
Why it matters
This event is crucial for both fighters as they seek to solidify their positions in the competitive Lightweight division. Fiziev’s chance to stop his recent losing streak weighs heavily on his title aspirations while Torres aims to break into the Top 10 rankings with a win. Both fighters possess knockout power, making this a potentially explosive matchup.
Background
On June 6, 2026, Justin Gaethje claimed the Lightweight title by defeating Ilia Topuria, marking a shift in the division’s landscape. The resulting changes mean that the pressure is on fighters like Fiziev and Torres to prove themselves in a rapidly evolving competitive environment. Meanwhile, injuries have shuffled the fight card leading into UFC Baku.
What’s next
Fans can look forward to the first prelim fights starting at 9 a.m. ET, leading up to the main card that kicks off at 12 p.m. ET. The complete fight card includes names like Nazim Sadykhov, Asu Almabayev, and Ikram Aliskerov, promising an action-packed event throughout the day.
