The UFC will once more be returning to Eastern Europe this summer, but this time it’ll a part of a longer-lasting partnership that can see the largest MMA company on the planet bring its stars to Azerbaijan regularly.
In an official press release by TKO Group Holdings, it was announced that the UFC have agreed a multi-year partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Baku City Circuit Operations Company (the BCC). The partnership will see the UFC bring one Fight Night event to the Azerbaijan capital of Baku until 2028, starting this summer with UFC Fight Night Baku, which is able to happen on June 27 on the National Gymnastics Arena.
When speaking in regards to the agreement, UFC President CEO Dana White couldn’t compliment town of Baku, in addition to the people, enough, claiming it’s top-of-the-line cities on the planet to go to and the persons are passionate and knowledgeable about MMA. Farid Gayibov, the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Masqud Farzullayev, the General Director of the BCC, were each very enthusiastic about securing the partnership as they hope it’ll boost the sporting profile of Azerbaijan to a world audience, which they’ve been doing with the annual Formula One Grand Prix, the success of the Qarabag football team in European competitions, and the inaugural European Games back in 2015.
The partnership comes lower than a yr after the UFC’s first trip to Azerbaijan in June 2025 with UFC on ABC 8. That card was headlined by the sunshine heavyweight clash between Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. where Rountree Jr. earned himself a unanimous decision victory.