Rafael Fiziev will headline UFC’s upcoming Fight Night event in Baku on June 27 against rising talent Manuel Torres, the company announced Tuesday.
This event will mark UFC’s second trip to Azerbaijan, now scheduled to take place at the National Gymnastics Arena. The first show was headlined by Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. at the Baku Crystal Hall in June 2025.
Fiziev (13-5) has his back against the wall after losing by knockout to Mauricio Ruffy in January, his fourth loss over the past five
bouts.
Fiziev’s sole victory since 2023 was a decision over Ignacio Bahamondes in 2025, which at the time snapped a three-fight skid against Justin Gaethje (twice) and Mateusz Gamrot.
Torres (17-3) won five of six since joining the UFC in through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021, a 100 percent finish rate with first-round stoppage wins over Frank Camacho, Nikolas Motta, Chris Duncan, Drew Dober and Grant Dawson.
The Mexican talent, who pocketed bonuses for every single one of his UFC wins, has only been beaten once in over six years, suffering a first-round knockout against Bahamondes in a UFC event in September 2024.
The UFC also officially announced a previously-reported middleweight showdown between Shara Magomedov and Michel Pereira for the event.
