Hill-Rountree to headline UFC's debut in Azerbaijan
Light heavyweight contenders Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. will battle in a five-round main event in Baku at the UFC's debut in Azerbaijan on June 21, the promotion announced Friday.
The event will take place at Baku Crystal Hall.
"Azerbaijan and the city of Baku have an incredible history of hosting massive global sporting events," UFC CEO Dana White said in a statement. "We have so many great athletes from in and around this country that it was a natural next destination for us. I'm excited to have our debut event there on June 21."
The match was initially scheduled to headline UFC Kansas City on April 26, but it was postponed after Hill sustained an injury.
Hill (12-3, 1 NC) is aiming to return to the win column in his second fight of 2025. He suffered a third-round TKO loss to Jiri Prochazka at UFC 311 in January. The former light heavyweight champion was knocked out by Alex Pereira at UFC 300 last April.
Rountree (13-6, 1 NC) is also seeking to rebound after losing by TKO to Pereira at UFC 307 in October 2024. The 35-year-old had won his previous five matches.
The UFC also announced the signing of flyweight Kyoji Horiguchi (34-5, 1 NC). The Japanese fighter will make his return to the promotion after competing under the banner from 2013-16. He'll square off against Tagir Ulanbekov (16-2), who is the No. 10-ranked fighter in the 125-pound division.
A heavyweight matchup featuring Curtis Blaydes (18-5, 1 NC) and Rizvan Kuniev (12-2-1, 1 NC) is among other fights scheduled for the card.