​UFC returned to the road this week with UFC Baku, live on Paramount+ from the Baku Crystal Hall in Azerbaijan. The card is built to please local fans, headlined by Rafael Fiziev from Kazakhstan facing Manuel Torres from Mexico in a lightweight showdown. Fiziev, who has connections to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, and Florida, proudly represents Azerbaijan and is a fan favorite in Baku, while Torres aims to add Fiziev’s name to his string of first-round knockout wins.
The co-main event features Michel Pereira versus Shara Magomedov, a bout between two high-octane fighters known for their highlight-reel moments and occasional puzzling mishaps. Both fighters arrived off recent victories but must demonstrably climb the Middleweight ranks to become title contenders. The main card also includes Nazim Sadykhov vs. Matheus Camilo, Asu Almabayev vs. Charles Johnson, Brunno Ferreira vs. Ikram Aliskerov, and Abus Magomedov vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk.
On the prelims, Farman Hasanov meets Eric Nolan, with top prospect Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev squared off against Julius Walker. Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Andrey Pulyaev is expected to deliver an appealing undercard matchup as well.
UFC Baku start times are set for primetime in Azerbaijan. The prelims kick off at 9:00 a.m. ET, followed by the main card at 12:00 p.m. ET. All fights stream on Paramount+. A live blog will begin at 9:00 a.m. ET for real-time updates.
UFC Baku quick results: In the main card, Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres is the 155-pound feature, with Michel Pereira vs. Shara Magomedov at 185 pounds. Matheus Camilo defeated Nazim Sadykhov by TKO (punches) in the first round (1:31). Asu Almabayev submitted Charles Johnson via Suloev’s stretch in the third round (3:33). Ikram Aliskerov defeated Brunno Ferreira by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). Abus Magomedov submitted Michal Oleksiejczuk with a guillotine in the first round (3:25). On the prelims, Farman Hasanov beat Eric Nolan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev stopped Julius Walker by TKO (punches) in the first round (0:08). Nursulton Ruziboev defeated Andrey Pulyaev by technical submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round (3:58).