Another former world champion has joined the UFC roster.
The UFC has been picking up more and more veterans lately, adding stars from promotions like Bellator MMA and RIZIN who many expected to never see compete in the Octagon.
Over the last few years, we’ve seen the UFC sign fighters aged 35 and older, such as former two-division Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull (37) and former title challenger Michael ‘Venom’ Page (36).
The UFC’s latest signing comes from Bellator and RIZIN in the stacked lightweight division.
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Tofiq Musayev, 35, set for UFC debut at UFC Baku
On Friday, Vestnik MMA reported former RIZIN lightweight champion Tofiq Musayev had signed to the UFC and is set to make his promotional debut at UFC Baku on June 21st.
Musayev meets Myktybek Orolbai, a tough fan-favorite from Kyrgyzstan who’s coming off a bloodbath, fight-of-the-year contender against Mateusz Rebecki at UFC 308.
It’s a homecoming fight for Musayev, who fights in his country of Azerbaijan. The card is headlined by a light heavyweight bout between Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr.
The 35-year-old Musayev enters the Octagon with an impressive pro record of 22-5 and has only lost twice in the last decade. The knockout artist has 18 KO’s and a 91% finishing rate.
Who has Tofiq Musayev fought outside the UFC?
In 2019, Musayev won the RIZIN Lightweight Grand Prix with a decision win over former Bellator champion Patricky Pitbull.
In the same year, Musayev defeated three former UFC fighters back-to-back in Daron Cruickshank, Damien Brown and Johnny Case.
Musayev had a 1-1 stint in Bellator and was a part of the Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix where he lost to Alexander Shabliy in 2023. Musayev won his Bellator debut against Sidney Outlaw with a 27-second knockout the year prior.
Musayev is 3-2 since winning the RIZIN title in 2019 with his other loss coming to promotional champion Roberto de Souza.
The UFC’s newest signee finished his last two opponents inside the RIZIN cage. Musayev hasn’t fought since November 2023.