Touching down in Baku Crystal Hall in Azerbaijan, UFC Baku offers a free-to-watch card stacked with some of the best mixed martial arts talent from across the world. Taking top billing, Jamahal Hill looks to earn his first win since January 2023 when he locks horns with Muay Thai specialist Khalil Rountree Jr. In the co-main event, Rafael Fiziev is also endeavoring to get back into the winner’s circle when he comes to blows with Ignacio Bahamondes.
UFC Baku Main Event
At one point in time, Hill was on top of the world at light heavyweight after snatching the world championship with a dominant unanimous decision over perennial contender Glover Teixeira at UFC 283. However, tragedy struck not long into his reign after he unfortunately suffered a torn Achilles after a freak accident during a basketball game. Returning to action last year, “Sweet Dreams” encountered a great deal of adversity, losing back-to-back bouts to Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka by knockout in his only two contests of 2024. For his first scrap of 2025, though, Hill is gearing up to get himself back on track with a victory over one of the division’s top strikers in UFC Baku’s main event.
Skyrocketing up the 205-lb rankings with a superb five-fight win streak, Rountree Jr. made the most of his first championship fight by giving then light heavyweight king, Pereira, the toughest challenge of his reign up until that point. While he would lose that meeting by fourth round stoppage, the Syndicate MMA product gained much adulation from fans around the globe. Eager for another chance to contend for UFC gold, “The War Horse” is seeking to trample a previous belt-holder on his quest to become the absolute best competitor in his division, starting with the UFC Baku main event.
UFC Baku Co-Main Event
Currently in the midst of a three-fight losing streak, Fiziev is in dire need of a victory to remain amongst the utmost top fighters in the lightweight division. With his countrymen there to back him up, “Ataman” will strive to reenter the winner’s circle in spectacular fashion by stemming the rise of the eccentric assassin from Chile in UFC Baku.
Undefeated since 2023, Bahamondes has undertaken a meteoric leap up the 155-lb upper echelon with three astounding victories over Christos Giagos, Manuel Torres and Jalin Turner. Looking unstoppable in his latest outings to the cage, “La Jaula” is seemingly on a crash course towards title contention.
More Bouts On the UFC Baku Main Card
Rounding out the main card of UFC Baku, one-time championship challenger Curtis Blaydes takes on Rizvan Kuniev. Then, Kyrgyzstan power house Myktybek Orolbai tests himself versus Tofiq Musayev. Also, lightweight prospects Nazim Sadykhov and Nikolas Motta struggle for supremacy as the next ranked hopeful. Finally, Muhammad Naimov and Bogdan Grad tussle in what is shaping up to be an entertaining featherweight tilt.
UFC Baku Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our UFC Baku picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after PFL 6 (2025):
- Hank Strandberg: 44-97
- Drew Zuhosky: 30-111
- Frazer Krohn: 28-81
- Jeremy Brand: 28-102
- Andrew Benjamin: 15-77
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Muhammadjon Naimov -240
Vs.
Bogdan Grad +205
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Naimov by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Naimov by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Naimov by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Grad by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Naimov: 3
Staff picking Grad: 1
Nazim Sadykhov -430
Vs.
Nikolas Motta +330
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Sadykhov by first round TKO
Hank Strandberg: Sadykhov by second round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Motta by Split Decision
Frazer Kron: Motta by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Sadykhov: 2
Staff picking Motta: 2
Myktybek Orolbai -156
Vs.
Tofiq Musayev +136
CATCHWEIGHT 165-lb
Jeremy Brand: Musayev by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Orolbai by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Musayev by first round Submission
Frazer Kron: Orolbai by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Orolbai: 2
Staff picking Musayev: 2
Curtis Blaydes -235
Vs.
Rizvan Kuniev +200
HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Blaydes by second round Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Blaydes by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Blaydes by first round Knockout
Frazer Kron: Blaydes by third round Submission
Staff picking Blaydes: 3
Staff picking Kuniev: 0
Ignacio Bahamondes -147
Vs.
Rafael Fiziev +127
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Bahamondes by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Fiziev by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Bahamondes by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Fiziev by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Bahamondes: 2
Staff picking Fiziev: 2
Jamahal Hill -110
Vs.
Khalil Rountree Jr. -110
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Roundtree Jr. by second round TKO
Hank Strandberg: Rountree Jr. by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Hill by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Rountree Jr. by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Hill: 1
Staff picking Rountree Jr.: 3
