UFC Baku is simply hours away …
All of it goes down this afternoon (Sat., June 21, 2025) inside Baku Crystal Corridor in Baku, Azerbaijan. In the principle occasion, former Final Preventing Championship (UFC) Gentle Heavyweight champion, Jamahal Hill, takes on former 205-pound title challenger, Khalil Rountree Jr.
We have now a combat week collection at MMAmania.com referred to as “Weekend Lock,” the place we share one guess that we really feel may slap in Baku when the chaotic mud settles. We additionally need to hear what our readers suppose (that’s you!), so please inform us your most assured UFC Baku betting lock within the feedback part under (full UFC Baku odds right here).
Final week’s recap: We nailed UFC Atlanta’s Weekend Lock as Michael Chiesa and Courtroom McGee fought to a choice. It was terrible (however don’t inform that to Chiesa).
Let’s carry on, protecting on under:
UFC Baku’s co-main occasion is an extremely enjoyable Light-weight showdown between No. 11-seeded Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio Bahamondes.
Bahamondes enters the combat using a three-fight win streak and because the -148 betting favourite, whereas Fiziev is mired within the first three-fight skid of his profession.
Whereas I don’t disagree with the betting line, as Bahamondes has appeared superior and “Ataman” is on a dreaded dropping streak, I’m taking the underdog (Fiziev) as this weekend’s lock at +124.
Right here’s why:
I see UFC Baku’s co-main as a mirror picture of final week’s UFC Atlanta principal occasion between Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley. Usman, a long-reigning champion, was counted out due to his dropping streak (and age), but his losses weren’t dangerous. Like Usman, Fiziev’s losses don’t inform the total story.
Fiziev’s three losses are to Justin Gaethje (two aggressive wars) and Mateusz Gamrot (when he shredded his knee within the second spherical). Moreover these, he’s been practically flawless within the promotion and is ultra-dangerous along with his placing.
There’s little question Bahamondes has been on a roll, ending his final three opponents — Christos Giagos, Manuel Torres and Jalin Turner (watch highlights) — and looking out a lot improved. And it looks like he’s utilizing his peak and attain to his benefit, however isn’t afraid of getting right into a slugfest if want be.
At 28, “Nacho” has youth on his aspect towards the 32-year-old Fiziev, in addition to a six-inch peak benefit. However, finally, the extent of competitors brings me again to Fiziev. I can also’t shake Bahamondes’ unanimous determination loss to Ludovit Klein, which uncovered his struggles towards versatile strikers like Fiziev.
That is Fiziev’s combat to lose, given his superior placing precision. Oh, and he’s preventing in his dwelling nation, so there’s that intangible, too.
For what it’s price, this X/Twitter person goes the opposite means, selecting Bahamondes to remain scorching:
Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Rafael Fiziev
Choose: Bahamondes to Win, -130
Fiziev could have his work reduce out for him navigating a attain drawback in tandem with over a half-foot distinction in peak. Bahamondes additionally seems rather more defensively accountable.
UFC Baku Stats Comp: pic.twitter.com/g0H1M5D8h7
— MMA RAX (@MMA_RAX) June 19, 2025
Rafael Fiziev by way of TKO/KO/DQ: +300
Rafael Fiziev by way of submission: +2000
Rafael Fiziev by way of determination: +275
Draw: +5000
Ignacio Bahamondes by way of TKO/KO/DQ: +400
Ignacio Bahamondes by way of submission: +800
Ignacio Bahamondes by way of determination: +180
Do you agree with our lock of the weekend? Please pontificate within the feedback and tell us your most assured UFC Baku choose this weekend. Appropriate “lock” predictions might be shared in our “Better of the Greatest” article subsequent week, too.
Do not forget that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of the complete UFC Baku combat card proper right here, beginning with the ESPN2/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches on-line, that are scheduled to start at 12 p.m. ET, earlier than the ABC principal card begin time at 3 p.m. ET (additionally on ESPN+).
To take a look at the most recent and best UFC Baku: “Hill vs. Rountree” information and notes make sure to hit up our complete occasion archive proper right here.