Rafael Fiziev will face Ignacio Bahamondes in the co-main event of UFC Baku on June 21, marking the UFC’s first event in Azerbaijan, with Fiziev aiming to break a three-fight losing streak.
Rafael Fiziev is gearing up for a sort of homecoming. He’ll face the rising lightweight star Ignacio Bahamondes in the co-main event of UFC Baku on June 21. The promotion made this announcement on Friday, with RedFuryFT breaking the news first.
This event marks the first UFC show in Azerbaijan. It’s headlined by a thrilling matchup: former UFC champion Jamahal Hill against Khalil Rountree Jr., a one-time light heavyweight title contender.
Fiziev, holding a record of 12-4, was born in Kazakhstan but grew up in Azerbaijan. He’s looking to break a three-fight losing streak. Once, he was on a roll, winning six straight with knockouts against Rafael dos Anjos and Renato Moicano. But recently, he faced setbacks against Justin Gaethje (twice!) and Mateusz Gamrot.
On the other side, Chile’s Ignacio Bahamondes, with a record of 17-5, is stepping into the biggest fight of his MMA career. He’s been on fire, boosting his octagon record to 6-2. Since April 2024, he’s snagged a trio of bonus-winning victories over Christos Giagos, Manuel Torres, and Jalin Turner.
Oh, and don’t forget to check the updated lineup below!