Full fight card preview and betting predictions for UFC Baku 2025, featuring Hill vs Rountree, Fiziev vs Bahamondes, and every fight on the card for June 21.
Full fight card preview and betting predictions for UFC Baku 2025, featuring Hill vs Rountree, Fiziev vs Bahamondes, and every fight on the card for June 21.
UFC Fight Night: Hill vs Rountree JrUFC Baku Full Card Preview & Info |
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Main Event odds | Hill -102.04 at 888starz | Rountree -120.48 at Stake.com |
When | Saturday, June 21 – main card from 11pm AST |
Where | Baku Crystal Hall – Baku, Azerbaijan |
The UFC makes its long-awaited debut in Azerbaijan on Saturday, June 21, with a high-stakes card live from Baku Crystal Hall.
A light heavyweight showdown between former champ Jamahal Hill and dangerous contender Khalil Rountree Jr tops the bill, with the top online sportsbooks installing the latter as a -120.48 favorite.
Here’s our full breakdown of every fight on the card, complete with top UFC betting picks and predictions for each bout.
Jamahal Hill (12-3) is desperate to turn things around after suffering back-to-back knockout losses to Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka. The former light heavyweight champ still has fluid hands and sharp boxing at range, but his timing, durability, and ability to manage high-pressure exchanges are all question marks coming off injury and stoppages.
Khalil Rountree (13-6) returns with renewed confidence after pushing Pereira deeper than any other opponent at 205. With five wins from his last six and four knockouts in that run, Rountree’s measured, power-first style could be a nightmare for a hittable Hill, especially if he lands early and keeps it off the mat.
Rafael Fiziev (12-4) fights in front of a home crowd in Baku with something to prove after three straight losses. Once a top-10 lightweight, Fiziev’s stock has dropped due to a knee injury and two tough decisions, but his striking technique, speed, and ability to chop down opponents with kicks remain elite when he finds rhythm.
Ignacio Bahamondes (15-4) is surging with three consecutive first-round finishes and looks more dangerous than ever. The tall, dynamic Chilean will enjoy a six-inch reach advantage and could out-volume Fiziev at range, but questions remain about how he’ll handle a savvy, powerfully built striker who isn’t easy to walk down.
Curtis Blaydes (18-4) has spent years as a gatekeeper to the UFC’s heavyweight elite, and he enters this bout looking to rebound from a KO loss to Tom Aspinall. He’s the superior wrestler by a mile and has the cardio to maintain control for three rounds, especially if he can avoid getting clipped early.
Rizvan Kuniev (12-2-1) makes his long-awaited UFC debut after a run through DWCS and regional circuits. He’s skilled in the clinch and strong in short bursts, but going from Eagle FC to Curtis Blaydes is a brutal step up, and any early takedown against him could lead to a long night underneath.
Myktybek Orolbai (12-2-1) is coming off a wild, back-and-forth battle with Mateusz Rebecki and returns here with a clear edge in physicality and pace. The 27-year-old thrives in scrambles and has the ability to overwhelm opponents with aggression and damage if the fight goes late.
Tofiq Musayev (21-5) enters the UFC as a proven knockout threat with big wins in RIZIN and Bellator. The Azerbaijani veteran will get a hero’s welcome in Baku, but his low output and questionable cardio may hurt him if he doesn’t find a finish in the first seven minutes.
Nazim Sadykhov (10-1-1) gets a chance to shine in his birthplace of Baku after a blistering first-round win over Ismael Bonfim. A slick striker with serious power and an improving ground game, Sadykhov will be hunting a fast finish in front of a crowd ready to explode.
Nikolas Motta (14-5) has quietly strung together two wins and carries knockout power in both hands. He’s an experienced operator who can hang in tough fights, but if he lets Sadykhov dictate tempo and cage position early, he may not see Round 2.
Muhammad Naimov (11-2) brings physicality, low-volume striking, and solid top control into the Octagon, but his performances have largely been grinding affairs. Against a durable, scrappy opponent, he may need to up his work rate to avoid being out-hustled.
Bogdan Grad (15-2) is coming off a come-from-behind stoppage win over Lucas Alexander and thrives in ugly, high-output fights. His pace and willingness to absorb damage make him a tough out, and if he can force Naimov into extended striking exchanges or clinch battles, the underdog has a real shot to pull the upset.