UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Baku City Circuit (BCC) Operations Company, today announced UFC’s debut event in Baku, Azerbaijan on Saturday, June 21 at the Baku Crystal Hall.

Axar.az reports according to the organization’s official website, an epic main event sees former UFC light heavyweight champion and No. 4-ranked contender Jamahal Hill take on No. 7-ranked Khalil Rountree Jr.

Khalil Rountree Jr. (14-6, 1 NC), known for his knockout power, steps back into the Octagon for the first time since his thrilling bout with Alex Pereira. He faces former champ Jamahal Hill, aiming to break into the light heavyweight top five.

Japanese standout Kyoji Horiguchi (34-5) makes his much-anticipated return, targeting history as the first Japanese UFC champion. He meets No. 10 flyweight Tagir Ulanbekov (16-2), who trains under Khabib Nurmagomedov and seeks to climb the division ranks.

Heavyweight fireworks are expected as No. 5 Curtis Blaydes (18-5) clashes with rising Dagestani talent Rizvan Kuniev (13-2-1) in his UFC debut.

In the middleweight division, Moroccan powerhouse Ismail Naurdiev (24-7) faces South Korean standout Junyong Park (18-6). Heavyweights collide as undefeated Hamdy Abdelwahab (6-0), originally from Egypt, takes on Texas-based Mohammed Usman (10-4).

The bantamweight lineup includes Russia’s Irina Alekseeva (5-2) vs. Poland’s Klaudia Sygula (6-2), and France-based Daria Zhelezniakova (9-2) vs. England’s Melissa Mullins (7-1) in a clash of rising stars.

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT: HILL vs ROUNDTREE JR will go on sale at 10 a.m. AZT on Friday, April 25, via iTicket. Fight Club members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets early at 10 a.m. AZT on Wednesday, April 23, whilst those who registered their interest early in this event will gain access at 10 a.m. AZT on Thursday, April 24.

It’s official!

We are coming to Azerbaijan for #UFCBaku on June 21! pic.twitter.com/QoMqdn3aKR

— UFC (@ufc) April 11, 2025