MSB Fight Club: UFC Fight Night Preview — Fiziev vs. Torres

The UFC heads to Baku, Azerbaijan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, for UFC Fight Night: Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres. The card is scheduled for 13 fights, with the main card streaming on Paramount+ and the event taking place at Baku Crystal Hall/National Gymnastics Arena in Baku.

This is a dangerous card. It has a home-region main event, several ranked or near-ranked fighters, debuting prospects, explosive middleweights, and a lightweight main event that could end suddenly.

Main Event: Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres

Lightweight — 155 pounds

Rafael Fiziev enters at 13-5, while Manuel Torres comes in at 17-3. Fiziev is the more proven striker against elite UFC competition, but Torres is the hotter finisher and carries serious first-round danger. Tapology lists Torres as the public pick by a wide margin, while Fiziev gets the home-crowd spotlight in Baku.

Fiziev has elite kicks, fast counters and strong defensive movement, but recent losses have raised questions about durability and momentum. Torres is aggressive, powerful and confident, and this is his chance to jump into the lightweight rankings conversation.

Pick: Torres by TKO, Round 2

Co-Main Event: Shara Magomedov vs. Michel Pereira

Middleweight — 185 pounds

Shara Magomedov is 16-1, while Michel Pereira is 32-14. This fight is pure chaos on paper. Magomedov is a creative striker with awkward timing, while Pereira brings wild athleticism, spinning attacks and explosive bursts.

Pereira has the experience edge, but Magomedov is more controlled and dangerous at range. Pereira must make this ugly, force clinches and break rhythm. Magomedov needs distance and patience.

Pick: Magomedov by decision

Nazim Sadykhov vs. Matheus Camilo

Lightweight — 155 pounds

Sadykhov comes in at 11-2-1, while Camilo is 10-3. Sadykhov is one of the more interesting names on this card. He has power, pressure and a style that should play well with the Baku crowd.

Camilo is tough, but Sadykhov looks like the sharper striker and stronger finisher.

Pick: Sadykhov by TKO, Round 2

Asu Almabayev vs. Charles Johnson

Flyweight — 125 pounds

Almabayev is 23-3, while Johnson is 19-8. Almabayev’s grappling and pace make him a difficult matchup for almost anyone at flyweight. Johnson is experienced, durable and unpredictable, but Almabayev’s control should decide rounds.

Pick: Almabayev by decision

Ikram Aliskerov vs. Brunno Ferreira

Middleweight — 185 pounds

Aliskerov enters at 17-2, while Ferreira is 15-3. This is one of the best fights on the card. Ferreira has fight-ending power, but Aliskerov is the more complete fighter. Aliskerov’s wrestling threat and cleaner setups should give him the edge.

Pick: Aliskerov by TKO, Round 2

Abus Magomedov vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk

Middleweight — 185 pounds

Magomedov is 28-7-1. Oleksiejczuk brings pressure, boxing volume and heavy hands. This matchup could turn into a pace fight. Magomedov is dangerous early, but Oleksiejczuk usually gets stronger when opponents slow down.

Pick: Oleksiejczuk by decision

Ismail Naurdiev vs. Marvin Vettori

Middleweight — 185 pounds

Vettori is the biggest name on the undercard/main-card bubble. Naurdiev is athletic and explosive, but Vettori’s durability, pressure and experience against top middleweights should matter.

Pick: Vettori by decision

Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Andrey Pulyaev

Middleweight — 185 pounds

Ruziboev is 36-9-2, while Pulyaev is 10-4. Ruziboev has a massive experience edge and dangerous finishing ability. Pulyaev is live if he keeps range, but Ruziboev has more ways to win.

Pick: Ruziboev by submission, Round 2

Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs. Julius Walker

Light Heavyweight — 205 pounds

This is a classic prospect test. Yakhyaev has major public support, with Tapology users heavily backing him. Walker needs to survive early pressure and make it a long fight.

Pick: Yakhyaev by submission, Round 1

Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune

Heavyweight — 265 pounds

Heavyweight fights can flip with one punch. Kuniev has the sharper MMA game, while Fortune has a wrestling background and power. Kuniev should be able to manage distance and win exchanges.

Pick: Kuniev by decision

Bekzat Almakhan vs. Jean Matsumoto

Bantamweight — 135 pounds

Almakhan is 12-3, while Matsumoto is 17-2. Matsumoto has the grappling edge and should be able to control scrambles. Almakhan is dangerous, but Matsumoto’s consistency stands out.

Pick: Matsumoto by decision

Daniil Donchenko vs. Theodor Berggren

Welterweight — 170 pounds

Sherdog lists Donchenko at 13-2 and Berggren at 8-3. Donchenko has the stronger record and looks like the cleaner volume striker. Berggren needs takedowns or clinch control to slow him down.

Pick: Donchenko by decision

Kaan Ofli vs. Javier Reyes

Featherweight — 145 pounds

Ofli is 13-4-1, while Reyes is 23-5. Reyes has the experience edge and should be comfortable if this becomes a grinding fight. Ofli is tough, but Reyes’ veteran composure matters.

Pick: Reyes by decision

Tahir Abdullayev vs. Jefferson Nascimento

Welterweight — 170 pounds

Abdullayev enters at 19-3, while Nascimento is unbeaten at 13-0. This is a strong prospect fight. Abdullayev has the experience and local edge, but Nascimento’s unbeaten record makes him one of the more intriguing names on the card.

Pick: Nascimento by decision

Final MSB Fight Club Picks

Best fight: Fiziev vs. Torres
Most likely finish: Yakhyaev vs. Walker
Upset watch: Michel Pereira
Prospect to watch: Jefferson Nascimento
Main event pick: Manuel Torres by TKO

This card may not have the biggest names, but it has action written all over it. For MSB Fight Club, this is exactly the kind of international UFC card that can produce surprise stars.