Ali Akbar Rosady
Manuel Torres secured the most significant victory of his career, stopping Rafael Fiziev via second-round TKO in the highly anticipated lightweight main event at UFC Fight Night Baku on Saturday, June 26, 2026, at the National Gymnastics Arena in Azerbaijan. The Mexican prospect, who entered the bout with an impressive 5-1 UFC record, capitalized on a moment of vulnerability from the Azerbaijani-Kyrgyz fighter, whose recent struggles continued despite fighting closer to his ancestral home. In the co-main event, Shara Magomedov maintained his undefeated professional record with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Michel Pereira in a middleweight clash that largely stayed on the feet.
The main event between Rafael Fiziev and Manuel Torres was billed as a pivotal moment for both lightweight contenders. For Fiziev, ranked number 10 in the division, it represented a crucial opportunity to halt a concerning slide, having lost four of his previous five outings since late 2024. Known for his devastating Muay Thai striking and relentless pressure, Fiziev had previously ascended to the upper echelons of the lightweight division, earning a reputation for thrilling, high-octane performances. His recent losses, however, had raised questions about his ability to consistently perform against the division’s elite. Torres, on the other hand, was riding a wave of momentum, having finished four of his five UFC victories, showcasing a dangerous combination of power and precision. His aggressive style and knack for finding the knockout had made him a fan favorite and a rapidly rising threat in the stacked 155-pound division.
The atmosphere inside the National Gymnastics Arena was electric as Fiziev made his walkout, greeted by a deafening roar from the local crowd eager to witness a hometown hero’s resurgence. The first round of the main event began with both fighters exchanging probing strikes, measuring distance and looking for openings. Fiziev, true to form, initiated with a series of sharp leg kicks that landed with audible thuds, aiming to slow Torres’s movement. Torres responded by attempting to counter with heavy hooks, demonstrating his power early. Fiziev’s head movement and footwork were sharp, allowing him to evade several of Torres’s more significant power shots. Towards the end of the first round, Fiziev managed to land a clean left hook that momentarily staggered Torres, but the Mexican fighter quickly recovered, showing resilience. The round concluded with a feeling-out process, but with Fiziev appearing to hold a slight edge in control and significant strikes landed.
However, the tide turned dramatically in the second round. As Fiziev pressed forward, looking to build on his momentum, Torres cleverly exploited an opening. A rapid exchange saw Fiziev unleash a flurry of combinations, but as he reset, Torres launched a perfectly timed counter right hand that connected flush. Fiziev stumbled backwards, clearly hurt, and Torres wasted no time in swarming him. He followed up with a barrage of punches against the cage, forcing the referee to step in and halt the contest at 1:47 of the second round. The crowd, initially stunned, soon erupted in a mixture of surprise and admiration for Torres’s decisive finish. The victory marks Torres’s most significant scalp to date and propels him into the lightweight division’s top 15, signaling his arrival as a legitimate contender. For Fiziev, the loss deepens his current predicament, placing immense pressure on his next career move as he grapples with four consecutive defeats. Post-fight, Torres, visibly emotional, expressed his respect for Fiziev but asserted his readiness for bigger challenges. "Rafael is a warrior, but tonight was my night," Torres stated during the post-fight press conference. "I’ve been working tirelessly for this, and I believe I belong at the top."
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The co-main event featured an intriguing middleweight matchup between the undefeated Dagestani striker Shara Magomedov and the flamboyant Brazilian Michel Pereira. Magomedov, known for his unique striking style and aggressive demeanor, brought an unblemished 12-0 professional record into the Octagon, with all but one of his victories coming by knockout. Pereira, a veteran with a dynamic and unpredictable fighting style, sought to leverage his experience and unorthodox attacks to hand Magomedov his first professional loss. The fight was largely contested on the feet, as expected, with both men showcasing their striking prowess. Magomedov utilized a relentless forward pressure, mixing body shots with powerful head kicks. Pereira attempted several spinning attacks and flashy techniques, but Magomedov’s defense proved sturdy. Over three rounds, Magomedov consistently outstruck Pereira, landing the more significant blows and controlling the pace of the fight. The judges’ scorecards reflected his dominance, awarding him a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). The win further solidifies Magomedov’s status as a rising force in the middleweight division, potentially setting him up for a ranked opponent in his next outing.
The main card also delivered several other compelling contests. In a lightweight bout, Nazim Sadykhov, fighting out of Azerbaijan, thrilled his home crowd with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Matheus Camilo. Sadykhov showcased improved grappling and resilience, overcoming some early adversity to control the later rounds. The judges scored the contest 29-28 across the board for the local hero, igniting another wave of cheers from the Azerbaijani faithful. The flyweight division saw Asu Almabayev continue his impressive run, submitting Charles Johnson via rear-naked choke in the first round. Almabayev, known for his relentless wrestling and submission game, quickly took Johnson to the mat and secured the finish at 3:12 of the opening frame, signaling his intent to climb the flyweight rankings rapidly.
Middleweights Ikram Aliskerov and Brunno Ferreira engaged in a back-and-forth slugfest that ultimately saw Aliskerov emerge victorious via TKO in the third round. Both fighters exchanged heavy blows throughout the first two rounds, but Aliskerov’s superior conditioning and technical striking began to wear down Ferreira in the final frame. A series of unanswered punches led to the referee stopping the contest at 2:05 of the third, marking another impressive finish for the Dagestani contender. The opening bout of the main card saw Abus Magomedov secure a dominant unanimous decision win over Michal Oleksiejczuk in a middleweight clash. Magomedov utilized his diverse skillset, mixing powerful striking with timely takedowns to neutralize Oleksiejczuk’s dangerous boxing, earning scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 from the judges.
The preliminary card, broadcast earlier in the day, also provided its share of excitement and notable performances. Farman Hasanov of Azerbaijan kicked off the card with a dominant performance, defeating Eric Nolan via unanimous decision in their bantamweight contest, much to the delight of the early arriving crowd. Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev submitted Julius Walker with an armbar in the second round of their featherweight bout, showcasing precise jiu-jitsu. Nursulton Ruziboev continued his momentum with a spectacular first-round knockout of Andrey Pulyaev in a middleweight matchup, further solidifying his reputation as a dangerous finisher. Kaan Ofli edged out Javier Reyes in a close bantamweight decision, while Daniil Donchenko secured a second-round TKO over Theodor Berggren in a lightweight clash. Bekzat Almakhan defeated Jean Matsumoto via split decision in a highly competitive bantamweight encounter. The final preliminary bout saw Tahir Abdullayev close out the early action with a unanimous decision victory over Jefferson Nascimento in a heavyweight showdown.
UFC Baku marked a significant milestone for the promotion, bringing top-tier mixed martial arts to Azerbaijan for the first time. The event showcased a blend of established talent and rising prospects, with a strong emphasis on regional fighters who received enthusiastic support from the local populace. The success of the event, particularly the fervent crowd engagement, underscores the UFC’s continued global expansion strategy and the growing appetite for combat sports in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Dana White, UFC President, had expressed optimism about the market during the pre-fight press conference, stating, "Baku has proven to be an incredible host. The energy here is unbelievable, and we’re looking forward to more events in this region." The outcomes, especially Torres’s upset victory, will undoubtedly shake up the lightweight division and provide fresh narratives for upcoming fight cards. The National Gymnastics Arena, usually a venue for rhythmic gymnastics, transformed into a cauldron of mixed martial arts, demonstrating its versatility and the enthusiasm of Azerbaijani sports fans.
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