One aspect of the debut event of the UFC in Baku has irritated an 11-Fight veteran.
The UFC Octagon has been hit in Azerbaijan, where a 12-field card will take place in the Baku Crystal Hall on Saturday.
Prior to Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree with Headlining UFC Baku, will compete for house favorite Rafael Fiziev for his countrymen, and the will of Curtis Blaydes and Oban Elliott also have their following assignments.
But even before a hunter stepped in the cage, the event already had a talk point for one UFC veteran.
UFC criticized for Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Azat Maksum Card Placement
Map placement is often a discussed subject prior to events, whereby the UFC is often accused of questionable decisions when placing ranked contenders on the prelims.
Although some suggest that this is to guarantee a high viewers in the entire cards, that explanation does not satisfy everyone.
And among those who are frustrated by the latest line -up is flying weight veteran Charles Johnson. An important fight in his division took place in Baku between no. 12-ranked Tagir Ulanbekov and highly promoted prospect Azat Maksum.
To X, Johnson accused the organization of 'non -respecting' teammate of Islam Makhachev by having him compete in just the second fight on the UFC Baku card.
“The lack of respect,” wrote Johnson. “Ranked flying weight. The second fight of the night is wild.”
The lack of respect. Ranked flying weight. Second fight of the night is wild
– Charles “Innerg” Johnson (@innergmma_ufc) June 20, 2025
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Charles Johnson defeated Azat Maksum in his UFC debut
Johnson will have had an established interest in that match, which was won on the Scorecards by Ulanbekov, when his former opponent returned for the first time since their confrontation.
The former LFA champion welcomed Maksum in the promotion at UFC Vegas 85 in February 2024. The Kazakh Jager was 15-0 at the time and entered as a tough favorite.
However, as he often has in the UFC, Johnson is upset by lifting his hand on Fight Night.
While the Baku return of Maksum marked its first since that loss, the American participated four more times in another three upright before a decision was defeated against Ramazan Temirov last March.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
To the surprise of many, while Maksum was submitted against ranked opposition, 'Innerg' is made to share the cage with another highly regarded prospect outside the top 15 afterwards.
Johnson will fight against Lone'er Kavanagh on UFC Shanghai on August 23.