The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to make its highly anticipated return to Azerbaijan, with UFC Fight Night Baku scheduled for June 27th. This event marks the beginning of a new multi-year agreement that will ensure one Fight Night event takes place in Baku annually until 2028. The upcoming event will be hosted at the National Gymnastics Arena, following the promotion’s successful inaugural visit to the city in June 2025.
UFC Secures June 27 Return to Baku as New Azerbaijan Agreement Commences
This significant development stems from a recently finalized deal between the UFC, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Baku City Circuit Operations Company. The agreement solidifies Baku as a consistent annual destination for UFC Fight Nights, extending through 2028.
The UFC’s return to Baku comes less than a year after its debut event in the city. The first UFC card in Azerbaijan, held in June 2025 at the Baku Crystal Hall, drew an impressive crowd of over 14,000 fans, with the company reporting a sold-out event. This remarkable turnout evidently played a crucial role in advancing discussions for a long-term partnership. UFC President and CEO Dana White and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Farid Gayibov, reportedly discussed the success of the initial event, paving the way for an expanded collaboration.
A notable change for this year’s event is the venue. While the 2025 event took place at the Baku Crystal Hall, the upcoming June 27th card will be held at the National Gymnastics Arena. This venue switch comes as a slight alteration, as some earlier event listings had indicated Baku Crystal Hall for the June 27th date.
In its official announcement, the UFC highlighted the strong fan engagement within the Azerbaijani market. The Baku City Circuit also noted an increase in regional interest and inbound tourism leading up to this year’s event. Azerbaijani officials have framed this agreement as a strategic step in further establishing Baku as a prominent host city for major international sporting events.
As of now, the UFC has not yet revealed the specific fight card for the June 27th event. Fans are encouraged to register their interest through the UFC’s Baku event page to receive updates and gain early access to ticket information. Further event details are expected to be released closer to fight week.
For the UFC, this new agreement provides another consistent international destination, contributing to its expanding global schedule. For Azerbaijan, it means Baku will transition from a one-time event stop to a recurring fixture on the UFC calendar, with the city slated to host UFC Fight Nights annually through 2028, provided the agreement remains in effect.
