UFC debuts in Azerbaijan, an ally of Israel and neighbor of Iran, amid conflict in the region

UFC Baku marks Ultimate's debut in Azerbaijan (Photo: Instagram)

Ultimate debuts in Azerbaijan this Saturday (21), with the UFC Baku, marking the 30th country to host an event by the organization. The arrival in the Caucasus comes at a delicate time: Azerbaijan borders Iran and maintains a strategic alliance with Israel — two countries involved in a recent conflict that has heightened tension in the region.

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Why Baku? UFC Strategy and Azerbaijan's Interests

Baku was not chosen as the host city by chance. Under President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has been investing heavily in major international events to project influence and diversify its economy, which is still heavily dependent on oil exports. In addition to the UFC, the Azeri capital has hosted Formula 1 since 2016 and was the venue for COP29 in 2024, drawing the attention of Dana White, who highlighted its “track record of excellence in global events.”

O UFC Baku The event is co-organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan and the same operator that hosts the city’s Formula 1 Grand Prix. The event is also part of the organization’s international expansion plan, which in recent years has debuted in strategic markets such as Saudi Arabia and France. Baku represents another step in the attempt to consolidate the UFC brand in regions with commercial potential and growing interest in combat sports.

Azerbaijan's geopolitical profile: Israel's ally and Iran's neighbor

Map of Azerbaijan (Photo: Reproduction)

PUBLICITY:

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country located in the Caucasus region, between Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia. With 10 million inhabitants, the country is located between Russia, Iran, Turkey and Georgia, a strategic position that places it at the center of antagonistic geopolitical interests.

Although it maintains a strategic alliance with Israel, the main buyer of its oil and a partner in defense and technology, Azerbaijan also borders Iran and has around 65% of the population who follow Shiite Islam, the same branch that is the majority in the Persian country.

This duality generates constant tensions, especially amid the current conflict between Iran and Israel. Tehran accuses Baku of harboring Israeli agents and allowing operations against its nuclear facilities. In retaliation, the Iranian regime has reportedly planned attacks on Israeli and Azeri targets. In addition, the approximately 20 million Azeris living in Iran are seen by the local government as a separatist threat, which intensifies mutual distrust.

UFC's debut in Baku therefore comes at a time of regional tension, with Azerbaijan at the center of diplomatic disputes involving Iran and Israel. Although there are no security alerts so far, the geopolitical context adds an element of attention behind the scenes of the event.

Understand the current conflict between Israel and Iran 

Since June 13, Israel has been carrying out aerial bombardments against Iranian facilities, including nuclear sites, resulting in around 639 dead in Iran, being civilians, scientists and military commanders.

In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones that caused 24 deaths in Israel and left more than 500 injured, in addition to hitting civil infrastructure, such as a hospital in Beersheba.

Despite the intense attacks, no specific security alert has been issued for the UFC Baku, but the context reinforces the indirect risks and attention to logistics and diplomatic security in the region.

UFC Baku technical sheet

Date: June 19, 2025

Open Hours: From 13pm (Brasília time)

Location: Baku Crystal Hall, Baku, Azerbaijan

How to watch: SUPER FIGHTS LIVE In real time, UFC Fight Pass (the entire card) online.

MAIN CARD

Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Jamahal hill x Khalil rountree Jr.

Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Raphael Fiziev x Ignatius Bahamondes

Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Curtis blaydes x Rizvan Kuniev

Married weight (up to 73,8kg): Myktybek Orolbai x Tofiq Musayev

Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Nazim Sadykhov x Nikolas Motta

Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Muhammad Naimov x Bogdan Grad

PRELIMINARY CARD

Welterweight (up to 77kg): Oban Elliott x Seokhyeon Ko

Average weight (up to 83,9kg): JunYong Park x Ismail Naurdiev

Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Dariya Zhelezniakova x Melissa Mullins

Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Irina Alekseeva x Klaudia Sygula

Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Azat Maksum x Tagir Ulanbekov

Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Mohammed Usman x Hamdy Abdelwahab