The UFC Octagon landed in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday, June 21, 2025, and fans at Baku Crystal Hall were treated to an action-packed card headlined by a clash of light heavyweight contenders Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr.
Baku Crystal Hall hosted UFC Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree Jr.
UFC action traveled to Baku, Azerbaijan, this weekend with UFC Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree Jr., live from Baku Crystal Hall, on Saturday, June 21. The night culminated with a highly-anticipated Top Ten showdown at light heavyweight between No. 4 Jamahal Hill and No. 7 Khalil Rountree Jr. in a bout with significant divisional implications.
Main Event: Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.
A light heavyweight bout between former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jamahal Hill and former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. headlined the event. Hill (12-3), the former champion, looks to return to title contention with a showstopping KO in his second fight of the year.
When the dust settled, it was Khalil Rountree Jr. securing a dominant win.
Scores were 49-46 and 50-45 twice for the No.7-ranked Rountree, who improves to 15-6 with 1 NC.
There was little action in the opening minute as the two circled each other and got their reads, and while Hill started things off with some leg kicks, when Rountree returned fire, those kicks hit a little different.
Rountree’s kicks to the leg started to leave their mark - literally - on Hill’s right wheel in the second stanza, and the Las Vegan was content to peck and poke at his foe from long range. A counter left by Rountree dropped Hill briefly just before the midway point of round three, adding to his point tally.
Jamahal Hill
Khalil Rountree Jr.
Co-Main Event: Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
In the co-main event, No. 11 Rafael Fiziev went head-to-head with Ignacio Bahamondes in a lightweight showcase. Fiziev (12-4), one of the division’s top strikers, aims for a commanding KO win in his second Octagon appearance in three months.
The fighters were tactical in the early going, switching stances and throwing leg kicks. But the first time they engaged at close range, it was Fiziev landing a hard combination to the body.
Fiziev’s defense was stellar as Bahamondes threw kicks at him in the second round, and the hometown favorite threw in a couple takedowns for good measure in an impressive frame.
In the third, Bahamondes finally started to find his range on the feet, but when Fiziev let his hands go, it was almost always a direct hit.
The judges saw it 30-27 across the board for the No.11-ranked Fiziev, now 13-4.
Other Notable Fights
Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev
A heavyweight bout between former interim UFC Heavyweight Championship challenger Curtis Blaydes and promotional newcomer Rizvan Kuniev took place at this event.
Blaydes wasted no time taking Kuniev to the canvas, and while the Russian rose quickly, Blaydes kept him locked up against the fence.
With Blaydes unable to secure a takedown in the second round, Kuniev took advantage with his striking attack.
Scores were 29-28, 29-28 and 28-29 for the No.5-ranked Blaydes, now 19-5 with 1 NC.
Tofiq Musayev vs. Myktybek Orolbai
Originally slated as a lightweight bout, the fight between newcomer Tofiq Musayev and Myktybek Orolbai proceeded at a catchweight of 165 pounds.
Orolbai improves to 14-2-1 with the win. Musayev falls to 22-6.
Nazim Sadykhov vs. Nikolas Motta
Undeterred by the boos from the crowd, Motta jarred Sadykhov early in the first round and emptied his tank with a barrage of punches. Sadykhov briefly hit the deck, but he got up, weathered the storm and started firing back on a gassed Motta.
The fight picked up where it left off in the second, Sadykhov cutting Motta with a flush elbow. Despite fatigue, Motta kept firing back, but it was Sadykhov now in control with clean strikes from all angles.
Sadykhov moves to 11-1-1 with the win.
Fight of the Night: Nazim Sadykhov vs. Nikolas Motta
Nazim Sadykhov and Nikolas Motta get all the money at UFC Baku - $100k each.
Muhammad Naimov vs. Erik Grad
The judges saw it 29-28 across the board for Naimov, now 13-3.
In the second minute, Naimov stunned Grad with a spinning hook kick, but Grad scored a quick takedown and grappled for a bit to clear his head. The back-and-forth action continued in all aspects of the sport in round two, with Grad perhaps edging things heading into the final stanza.
Full Fight Card
The event showcased a range of talent. Here is the full fight card:
- Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.
- Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev
- Tofiq Musayev vs. Myktybek Orolbai
- Nazim Sadykhov vs. Nikolas Motta
- Muhammad Naimov vs. Erik Grad
- SeokHyeon Ko vs. [Opponent]
- Daria Zhelezniakova vs. [Opponent]
- Irina Alekseeva vs. [Opponent]
- Tagir Ulanbekov vs. [Opponent]
- Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. [Opponent]
Event Details
Brendan Fitzgerald called the action alongside former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping and UFC lightweight Paul Felder.
Broadcast Information:
- Fri. UFC Fight Night Pre-Show Presented by Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey: Hill vs. Rountree Jr.
- Sat. UFC Fight Night Presented by Bud Light: Hill vs. Rountree Jr.
- UFC Fight Night Post Show Presented by Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey: Hill vs. Rountree Jr.
Jamahal Hill vs Khalil Rountree - Full Fight Highlights
tags: #ufc #baku #predictions