UFC Baku Prelims: Full Preliminary Card Breakdown and Predictions
UFC Baku prelims open the broadcast at 12:00 PM ET on June 27, 2026. Five preliminary bouts feature three Azerbaijani-affiliated fighters including hometown lightweight Nazim Sadykhov and undefeated welterweight Farman Hasanov making his UFC debut. This page breaks down every prelim with predictions, start times, and sleeper-pick analysis. The complete event tracker for UFC Baku mirrors prelim scorecards as the broadcast rolls.
UFC Baku prelims overview
The UFC Baku prelim card is denser than the typical Fight Night undercard. Three of the five fights involve top-30 regional prospects with realistic paths to ranked relevance within 18 months. The card opens at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN+ and rolls into the main card without a broadcast gap.
UFC Baku prelims schedule
| Time (ET) | Fight | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| ~2:00 PM ET | Nursulton Ruziboev vs Andrey Pulyaev | Middleweight |
| ~1:30 PM ET | Bekzat Almakhan vs Jean Matsumoto | Bantamweight |
| ~1:00 PM ET | Daniel Donchenko vs Andreas Gustafsson | Welterweight |
| ~12:30 PM ET | Nazim Sadykhov vs Matheus Camilo | Lightweight |
| ~12:00 PM ET | Farman Hasanov vs Eric Nolan | Welterweight |
Nursulton Ruziboev vs Andrey Pulyaev
Middleweight · ~2:00 PM ET · Nursulton Ruziboev -300, Andrey Pulyaev +240
Breakdown
Ruziboev is the more experienced fighter with 36 wins and a multi-discipline grappling base. Pulyaev is durable but outgunned everywhere.
Fighter notes
Nursulton Ruziboev: A veteran Uzbek finisher with sambo and judo credentials.
Andrey Pulyaev: Short-notice UFC newcomer from the Russian regional circuit.
Pick
Nursulton Ruziboev by submission in round 2. Confidence 4/5. Cross-reference with the UFC Baku predictions for full confidence justification.
Bekzat Almakhan vs Jean Matsumoto
Bantamweight · ~1:30 PM ET · Bekzat Almakhan +150, Jean Matsumoto -180
Breakdown
Matsumoto's striking volume and submission threat edges Almakhan's wrestling-heavy approach over three rounds.
Fighter notes
Bekzat Almakhan: Kazakh wrestler with three UFC appearances and one win.
Jean Matsumoto: Brazilian Top Team product with an active jiu-jitsu game.
Pick
Jean Matsumoto by decision in round 3. Confidence 3/5. Cross-reference with the UFC Baku predictions for full confidence justification.
Daniel Donchenko vs Andreas Gustafsson
Welterweight · ~1:00 PM ET · Daniel Donchenko +125, Andreas Gustafsson -145
Breakdown
Gustafsson's pressure and clinch work outpoint Donchenko's counter-striking.
Fighter notes
Daniel Donchenko: Ukrainian welterweight on a four-fight win streak entering the UFC.
Andreas Gustafsson: Swedish welterweight from the Allstars camp with a clinch-heavy style.
Pick
Andreas Gustafsson by decision in round 3. Confidence 3/5. Cross-reference with the UFC Baku predictions for full confidence justification.
Nazim Sadykhov vs Matheus Camilo
Lightweight · ~12:30 PM ET · Nazim Sadykhov -260, Matheus Camilo +210
Breakdown
Sadykhov fights at home and is the more polished striker with finishing power. Camilo is a tough out but lacks the offensive output to bank rounds.
Fighter notes
Nazim Sadykhov: Azerbaijan-born, New York-based lightweight on a three-fight unbeaten run.
Matheus Camilo: Brazilian lightweight with a submission-heavy regional resume.
Pick
Nazim Sadykhov by tko in round 2. Confidence 4/5. Cross-reference with the UFC Baku predictions for full confidence justification.
Farman Hasanov vs Eric Nolan
Welterweight · ~12:00 PM ET · Farman Hasanov -170, Eric Nolan +150
Breakdown
Hasanov is undefeated and fights at home. Nolan is well-rounded but a touch behind on cage IQ.
Fighter notes
Farman Hasanov: Undefeated Azerbaijani prospect making his Octagon debut on home soil.
Eric Nolan: American welterweight stepping in for his second UFC appearance.
Pick
Farman Hasanov by decision in round 3. Confidence 3/5. Cross-reference with the UFC Baku predictions for full confidence justification.
Sleeper picks on the UFC Baku prelims
The best plus-money prelim play is Jean Matsumoto at +150. The market has priced Almakhan's wrestling as the dominant variable, but Matsumoto's active guard and striking volume profile better than the line suggests. Secondary live dog: Andreas Gustafsson at -145 — short of plus money but well-priced given his clinch game.
Why prelims matter for value bettors
UFC prelim lines move less than main card lines because public money concentrates on the headliners. That leaves edges available on the early portion of the card. Sharp parlay construction often involves anchoring a high-confidence prelim favorite (Sadykhov, Ruziboev) and adding a value dog (Matsumoto) — the combined price tends to outperform a same-juice main-card-only parlay.
Key takeaways
- UFC Baku prelims open at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN+.
- Three Azerbaijani-affiliated fighters compete on the prelim card.
- Highest-confidence prelim pick: Sadykhov over Camilo at 4/5.
- Best plus-money play: Matsumoto at +150 over Almakhan.
- Prelim lines move less than main card lines, creating value opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
- What time do UFC Baku prelims start?
- UFC Baku prelims start at 12:00 PM ET on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The five-fight preliminary block runs for approximately three hours before the main card opens at 3:00 PM ET. In the UK, the prelims begin at 5:00 PM BST on TNT Sports.
- Where can I watch UFC Baku prelims?
- UFC Baku prelims stream on ESPN+ in the United States — same channel as the main card. No separate subscription is required. TNT Sports carries the prelims in the United Kingdom and UFC Fight Pass carries them in many international markets.
- How many fights are on the UFC Baku prelims?
- Five preliminary bouts make up the UFC Baku prelim card. The lineup spans bantamweight, lightweight, welterweight (two bouts), and middleweight. The card opens with Farman Hasanov vs Eric Nolan at welterweight and closes with Nursulton Ruziboev vs Andrey Pulyaev at middleweight.
- What is the best UFC Baku prelim pick?
- Nazim Sadykhov over Matheus Camilo at -260 is our highest-confidence prelim pick at 4 out of 5. Sadykhov fights at home, is the more polished striker, and Camilo has not faced a UFC-level lightweight with finishing power. Look for a second-round stoppage.
- Are there sleeper picks on UFC Baku prelims?
- Yes. Jean Matsumoto at +150 over Bekzat Almakhan is our best plus-money prelim play. Matsumoto's striking volume and submission threat profile better than the line suggests against a wrestler who has struggled to control bantamweights with active guards.