On June 21, the UFC is set to host an event in Azerbaijan for the first time ever, marking a historic moment for the promotion.
UFC light heavyweight title challengers Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr clash in the main event, after their fight at UFC Kansas City earlier this year was postponed.
In the co-main event, hometown fan favorite Rafael Fiziev takes on Ignacio Bahamondes as he looks to return to the lightweight title picture, despite teasing a move down to featherweight following his recent loss to Justin Gaethje.
The only other Azeri fighter announced to be competing on the card is Nazim Sadykhov, who takes on Nikolas Motta in a lightweight bout.
UFC Baku was also set to include the highly anticipated promotional return of former flyweight title challenger, Kyoji Horiguchi.
Kyoji Horiguchi withdraws from return at UFC Baku
10 years after his submission loss 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 take on the number 10 ranked flyweight Tagir Ulanbekov in their historic debut in Baku.
Despite that announcement initially coming as quite a shock to the large majority of the UFC fanbase who thought he would be given a top five opponent, fans quickly grew in excitement.
However, news broke this Monday morning that Horiguchi has withdrawn from his scheduled fight against Ulanbekov, leaving fans devastated.
Tagir Ulanbekov’s replacement opponent announced
After news broke of Horiguchi’s withdrawal, it was quickly announced that Ulanbekov will now take on Azat Maksum, remaining on the Baku card.
Maksum suffered his first MMA loss last February when he took on Charles Johnson, losing the fight via unanimous decision.
Since then, the Kazakh has been out due to injury, having been scheduled to take on CJ Vergara last August.
It is unclear as of yet what led to Horiguchi’s withdrawal, however, the next flyweight title fight was recently announced, with Alexandre Pantoja set to defend his title against Kai Kara-France at UFC 317.
The Japanese flyweight will be hopeful of re-booking his UFC return as he eyes up a potential fight against his teammate, Pantoja, in the future.