On June 21, the UFC will organize an event in Azerbaijan for the first time, which marks a historic moment for the promotion.
UFC Light Heavyweight Title Challengs Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree JR Clash in the main event, after their fight in UFC Kansas City was postponed earlier this year.
In the Co-Main event, fan favorite Rafael fiziev takes on Ignacio Bahamonde's home while he wants to return to the lightweight title photo, despite teasing a switch to featherweight after his recent loss against Justin Gaethje.
The only other Azeri hunter announced to compete on the map is Nazim Sadykhov, who takes Nikolas Motta in a lightweight fight.
UFC Baku would also record the long -awaited promotional return of the former Flyweight Title Challenger, Kyoji Horiguchi.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Kyoji Horiguchi withdraws from return to UFC Baku
10 years after his loss of submission against Demetrious Johnson, the UFC recently announced the re -signing of Horiguchi after a successful career in Bellator and Rizin.
Not long after his return was officially announced, the promotion revealed that the 34-year-old would accept the number 10-arranged flying weight Tagir Ulanbekov in their historical debut in Baku.
Although that announcement initially came a pretty shock for the large majority of the UFC fan base who thought he would have a top five opponent, fans quickly grew in excitement.
News broke this Monday morning, however, that Horiguchi has withdrawn from his planned fight against Ulanbekov, destroying fans.
Tagir Ulanbekov's replacement opponent announced
After the news was broken about the withdrawal of Horiguchi, it was soon announced that Ulanbekov will now assume Azat Maksum, on the Baku card.
Maksum suffered his first MMA loss last February when he took Charles Johnson and lost the fight through a unanimous decision.
Since then, the Kazakh has been out of the injury because they entered into CJ Vergara last August.
It is still unclear what has led to the withdrawal of Horiguchi, but the next flying weight of title fight was recently announced, set with Alexandre Pantoja to defend his title against Kai Kara-France on UFC 317.
The Japanese flying weight will be hopeful to book its UFC referee again, while he will take a potential fight against his teammate, Pantoja, in the future.