For the first time in UFC history, an event is hosted in Azerbaijan as the capital city, Baku, has the pleasure of holding this prestigious fight night. The main event is a Light Heavyweight contender matchup between the #4 contender, Jamahal Hill, and the #7 contender, Khalil Rountree Jr. Here is everything you need to know before UFC Baku starts.
Hill has been on an unlucky run, losing his last two fights by knockout against Alex Pereira at UFC 300 and Jiri Prochazka at UFC 311.
The Chicago-born mixed martial artist has proven why he is one of the top 205-pound, holding big victories over Glover Texieira, Thiago Santos and Johnny Walker.
The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion is a danger on the feet with seven of his 12 victories ending by KO/TKO, four of those have happened in the first round.
Sweet Dreams is eager to earn redemption as he is gradually falling down the rankings, and while he is looking for a way to get back in title contention, he first has to take out an unexpected favourite of the division.
Rountree Jr fought for the Light Heavyweight title in his last bout, but was unsuccessful as he lost to Alex Pereira by fourth-round TKO at UFC 307.
The War Horse was previously on a five-fight winning streak, earning knockout wins over Anthony Smith and Chris Daukaus, plus a decision triumph against Dustin Jacoby.
The Los Angeles-born fighter is also a big threat on the feet as 10 of his 14 wins have ended by KO/TKO, nine of those happening in under two rounds.
The #7 contender will be aiming to get back in the win column, just like his opponent, as after many of the MMA community have seen how tough he is from his fight in Salt Lake City, it would be no surprise if we soon see him in title contention again.
other fights you should look out for
Rafael Fiziev vs Ignacio Bahamondes - Fiziev came in on short notice in his last bout, losing to Justin Gaethje by unanimous decision at UFC 313. Ataman is an impressive striker, holding eight KO/TKO victories, as well as one submission, out of 12 triumphs in his MMA career. The #11 Lightweight contender is currently on a three-fight losing streak and is eyeing redemption in his own country to make his win much more sweeter.
Bahamondes earned his third consecutive first-round finish after stopping Jalin Turner by submission at UFC 313. La Jaula has stopped 13 of his 17 conquered opponents, with 11 of those bouts ending by KO/TKO and two by submission. The Chilean is on a showstopping rise as a win in enemy territory will book him a place in the 155-pound rankings.
Curtis Blaydes vs Rizvan Kuniev - Blaydes last fought for the Interim UFC Heavyweight title at UFC 304 but lost by first-round knockout to Tom Aspinall. The Chicago-born fighter has 13 stoppage wins out of 18 victories with all of them ending by KO/TKO. The #5 Heavyweight contender is aiming to get back to winning ways and keep himself in the top five of the rankings.
Kuniev makes his debut at UFC Baku after receiving a contract through Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) when he knocked out Hugo Cunha in the first round. The Russian has eight finishes in his MMA career, earning six KO/TKO triumphs and two submissions. The UFC debutant has a rare opportunity of entering the top five in the Heavyweight rankings in just his first fight in the organisation.
Tofiq Musayev vs Myktybek Oralbai - Musayev makes his UFC debut after beginning his winning streak at Rizin FF when he knocked out Koji Takeda in round three. The Azerbaijan fighter has only successfully gone the distance twice, while securing 18 KO/TKO wins and two submissions. Fighting in his hometown, Musayev will be hoping to make a good first impression in the UFC and add to his list of stoppage victories.
Oralbai's eight-fight winning streak was snapped in his last bout after going the distance in a gruelling fight with Mateusz Rebecki to lose by split decision at UFC 308. The Kyrgyzstan mixed martial artist has stopped 11 of the 13 enemies he's triumphed over with five KO/TKO wins and six submissions. Another fighter who is looking for redemption and will certainly not want to begin a losing streak against a debutant.
Who will take the glory in Baku between Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr? Which fight are you looking forward to the most?
Written by Charlie Oxtoby
Instagram: charlie_oxtoby
MMA Instagram: undisputed._.mma
Twitter: Charlie_Oxtoby1
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