UFC debuts in Azerbaijan with Hill vs. Rountree Jr. on June 21
Tickets available from April 25 via iTicket and early access options
DUBAI: UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation, is set to make its long-anticipated debut in Azerbaijan on Saturday, 21 June 2025.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Baku City Circuit (BCC) Operations Company, the landmark event will take place at the iconic Baku Crystal Hall. UFC’s inaugural card in the country will be headlined by a high-stakes light heavyweight bout between former champion and current No. 4-ranked contender Jamahal Hill and the surging No. 7-ranked Khalil Rountree Jr.
This historic announcement was made during a formal signing ceremony in Miami ahead of UFC 314, attended by UFC President and CEO Dana White and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov. White praised Azerbaijan’s sporting legacy and regional talent pool, expressing enthusiasm for expanding the UFC footprint in the Caucasus region.
Ticket details
Tickets for the event – officially titled UFC Fight Night®: Hill vs. Rountree Jr. – will go on general sale via iTicket at 10AM AZT on Friday, 25 April. Members of UFC Fight Club will gain exclusive early access on Wednesday, 23 April, followed by registered fans on Thursday, 24 April.
Azerbaijan’s commitment to hosting elite global sporting events was underscored by Minister Gayibov, who said, “Hosting UFC in Baku marks another significant milestone in our efforts to develop Azerbaijan as a regional sports leader. Thanks to President Ilham Aliyev’s unwavering support, Azerbaijan continues to gain global recognition in the sporting world.”
BCC General Director Maqsud Farzullaev added, “Following our success with Formula 1, this partnership with UFC enhances Baku’s reputation as a prime international sporting hub. The event will spotlight our world-class infrastructure and further popularise combat sports in the region.”
Main event spotlight
Jamahal Hill (12-3, 1NC), representing Michigan, United States, returns for his second fight of the year following a previous layoff. Hill became the first athlete from Dana White’s Contender Series to capture a UFC championship. He rose to prominence through victories over top contenders including Thiago Santos, Johnny Walker, and Jimmy Crute, eventually securing the light heavyweight title.
Across the Octagon, Khalil Rountree Jr. (14-6, 1NC) of Nevada, United States, brings striking power and tenacity. Rountree Jr. earned his Fight of the Night honours in a gritty battle against Alex Pereira at UFC 307. With 9 of his 13 victories coming via knockout, he is poised to break into the top five rankings with a statement win in Baku.
Co-main attraction
Adding to the spectacle, flyweight Kyoji Horiguchi (34-5), a former RIZIN champion, makes his much-anticipated return in pursuit of becoming Japan’s first UFC titleholder. Horiguchi, currently training out of Florida, will face Russia’s Tagir Ulanbekov (16-2), a disciplined and technically sound competitor from Makhachkala under the tutelage of former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The fight is billed as a pivotal clash with divisional implications, as both fighters aim to climb into title contention.
Heavyweight collision
Another marquee matchup features No. 5-ranked Curtis Blaydes (18-5) from Chicago taking on Dagestan’s Rizvan Kuniev (13-2-1). Kuniev, a standout from Dana White’s Contender Series, will make his official UFC debut, hoping to shake up the heavyweight division with a decisive win against the seasoned Blaydes.
International undercard
The undercard promises diverse international talent and stylistic variety:
- Moroccan welterweight Ismail Naurdiev (24-7), now based in Rabat, will square off against South Korea’s Junyong Park (18-6) in a compelling middleweight bout.
- Egyptian-born Hamdy Abdelwahab (6-0), now fighting out of New York, faces Mohammed Usman (10-4), based in Texas, in a heavyweight showdown.
- Russian bantamweight Irina Alekseeva (5-2) will challenge Poland’s Klaudia Sygula (6-2), while French-based Daria Zhelezniakova (9-2), originally from Saint Petersburg, will meet Coventry’s own Melissa Mullins (7-1) in another bantamweight fixture.
These matchups highlight UFC’s dedication to showcasing a global roster and its emphasis on cultural diversity within combat sports.
Emerging Azerbaijani presence
Azerbaijani fighters continue to raise the country’s profile in the MMA arena. Standouts like Rafael Fiziev have delivered explosive performances against top-tier competition, including his victories over former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and King Green. The growing success of Azerbaijani athletes is a testament to the nation’s expanding infrastructure in wrestling and combat sports, as well as its ability to produce world-class competitors.
Massive fan interest
With UFC’s track record of sellout venues, demand for the Baku event is expected to be extremely high. Fans are strongly encouraged to pre-register at ufc.com/Baku and follow @UFCEurasia on social media for real-time updates, announcements, and exclusive content. Given the event’s historic nature, early ticket purchases are highly recommended.
Global reach
UFC, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), commands a massive global audience with more than 700 million fans and 300 million social media followers. The organisation broadcasts over 40 events each year to more than 950 million households across 170+ countries. With more than 70 nations represented on its athlete roster, UFC remains the pinnacle of mixed martial arts and a magnet for elite global talent.