UFC Baku Fight Night from Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday, June 21, is headlined by light heavyweights Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree, and features high-level fights top to bottom on the main card.
UFC Baku Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree showcases talent from the surrounding Azerbaijan region, with talented fighters throughout. Below, we’ll give you the top UFC Fight Night picks for Hill vs. Rountree and the main card, including PrizePicks UFC predictions.
The main event — Hill vs. Rountree — stands out amongst the rest with two elite strikers battling to regain light heavyweight title contention, live on ABC and ESPN.Click here to go directly to UFC Baku Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree Main Card Predictions below, including PrizePicks UFC picks and predictions for Saturday’s Fight Night.
While Saturday’s card focuses largely on spotlighting the regional talent, top UFC fighters will still get the chance to move in the rankings this Saturday. The main event features former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill (12-3) matching up against contender Khalil Rountree (14-6). Both fighters showcase incredible striking in what should be a dangerous contention matchup.
Co-headlining the UFC Fight Night card is the pride of Azerbaijan, Rafael Fiziev (12-4), facing off against a rising star in Ignacio Bahamondes (17-5). This lightweight fight offers spectacular striking in what could be one of the most technical matchups of the year.
The UFC Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree main card is set to start at 3 p.m. ET, with Hill vs. Rountree expected to start around 5 p.m. ET, depending on when the other fights end.
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UFC Fight Night Baku Projections & Start Times: Hill vs. Rountree
UFC Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree will start at 3 p.m. ET on ABC with the main card prelims on Saturday, June 21, while the Hill vs. Rountree main event is expected to start at 5 p.m. ET — subject to change based on other fights before it.
UFC Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree projections below are via the PrizePicks MMA board as of Friday at 5 p.m. ET and are subject to change.
Here’s the UFC Baku Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree main card schedule, in reverse order.
Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree – Main Event
- Main event
- Light Heavyweight
- Expected start time: 5 p.m. ET
- Hill Projections: 64.5 Significant Strikes, 24.5 Round 1 Significant Strikes
- Rountree Projections: 50.5 Significant Strikes, 55.55 Fantasy Score, 19.5 Round 1 Significant Strikes
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 114.5
- Fight Time Projection: 12 minutes
- Hill vs. Rountree Prediction
Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio Bahamondes – Co-Main Event
- Co-main event
- Lightweight
- Expected start time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Fiziev Projections: 67.5 Significant Strikes, 20.5 Round 1 Significant Strikes
- Bahamondes Projections: 77.5 Significant Strikes, 23.5 Round 1 Significant Strikes , 54.55 Fantasy Score
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 144.5
- Fiziev vs. Bahamondes Prediction
Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev
- Heavyweight
- Expected start time: 4 p.m. ET
- Blaydes Projections: 32.5 Significant Strikes, 13.5 Round 1 Significant Strikes, 2 Takedowns
- Kuniev Projections: 29.5 Significant Strikes, 11.5 Round 1 Significant Strikes
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 63.5
- Fight Time Projection: 11.75 minutes
- Blaydes vs. Kuniev Prediction
Tofiq Musayev vs. Myktybek Orolbai
- Catchweight
- Expected start time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Musayev Projections: 39.5 Significant Strikes, 16.5 Round 1 Significant Strikes
- Orolbai Projections: 50.5 Significant Strikes, 2.5 Takedowns, 19.5 Round 1 Significant Strikes, 47.55 Fantasy Score
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 89.5
- Fight Time Projection: 12.5 minutes
- Musayev vs. Orolbai Prediction
Nazim Sadykhov vs. Nikolas Motta
- Lightweight
- Expected start time: 3 p.m. ET
- Sadykhov Projections: 41.5 Significant Strikes, 22.5 Round 1 Significant Strikes, 55.55 Fantasy Score
- Motta Projections: 27.5 Significant Strikes, 17.5 Round 1 Significant Strikes
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 69.5
- Fight Time Projection: 9 minutes
- Abdul-Malik vs. Brundage Prediction
Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Prediction & Preview
Former UFC Champion Jamahal Hill will be looking to return to his winning ways following a two-fight loss streak. While his last two defeats against former champions have left something to be desired, Hill is no stranger to bounce-backs. If his three-fight knockout streak after his early loss to Paul Craig taught us anything, it is that Hill is most dangerous after a loss.
Across the octagon is an equally dangerous former title challenger, Khalil Rountree. With half of his victories coming by first-round stoppage — and many in brutal fashion — Rountree is a threat to anyone he faces.
Both fighters are coming off of a loss and will be looking for a statement signature win to propel them back into talks for title contention.
Hill vs. Rountree: Fight Time 12 Minutes
- Both fighters’ average fight time is less than 10 minutes.
- Both fighters average zero takedowns per 15 minutes.
- Rountree lands 3.73 Significant Strikes per minute.
- Hill lands 7.05 significant strikes per minute.
Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio Bahamondes Prediction & Preview
Despite a three-loss streak and over a year of absence during the streak, Rafael Fiziev still remains one of the most exciting prospects amongst the middleweight division. Signature wins against Renato Moicano, King Green, and Brad Riddell, along with a fight of the year contender against Justin Gaethje, all showcase just why Fiziev is so respected. However, in order for Fiziev to remain among the top 15 in middleweight, a victory in Baku may be needed.
Rising star Ignacio Bahamondes finds himself in a very similar position as Fiziev was in before his matchup with Gaethje in 2023. Bahamondes has showcased himself as a threat, but a win here will show that he can hang with — and deserves in the top of the division. With his last three fights ending in the very first round, Bahamondes is red hot coming into this matchup.
Fiziev vs. Bahamondes: Bahamondes 77.5 Significant Strikes
- Bahamondes' last three fights have ended in the first round.
- Fiziev has 90% Takedown defense.
- Both fighters absorb over four Significant Strikes per minute.
- Both fighters finish over half of their wins inside the distance.
Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev Prediction & Preview
Curtis Blaydes enters this fight after a brutal loss to Tom Aspinall; however, the title challenger will be facing his first unranked opponent in over five years. Blaydes has never lost two consecutive fights and will hope to keep it that way Saturday evening.
UFC newcomer Rizvan Kuniev will be making his debut this weekend. Kuniev will be looking to make the most of a top five opportunity in Curtis Blaydes, and a victory could earn him a spot in the rankings after just his first UFC bout. Kuniev has 100% takedown defense, which could play counter to Blaydes' strength — his offensive wrestling.
Blaydes vs. Kuniev: Blaydes 32.5 significant strikes
- Kuniev has 100% Takedown defense.
- Blaydes has 32% Takedown defense.
- Blaydes has 5.89 Takedowns per 15 minutes.
- 42% of Blaydes' Significant Strikes are landed on the ground.
Tofiq Musayev vs. Myktybek Orolbai Prediction & Preview
Tofiq Musayev is yet another regional talent making his debut in Baku. Despite this being his first UFC appearance, this fighter has already made a name for himself with wins over Patricky Pitbull and Johnny Case. Musayev also boasts an impressive record of 22-5, with 18 of those wins coming by knockout. Musayev will look to make an impact in the Middleweight division with his elite striking.
Looking to spoil the debut of Musayev is a familiar face in Orolbai. Coming off of a questionable split decision that earned his first UFC loss, Orolbai will be looking to make a bounce back statement on Saturday. With six knockout victories and five submission victories, Orolbai is dangerous wherever the fight goes.
Musayev vs. Orolbai: Orolbai 2.5 Takedowns
- Orolbai has an average fight time of 4 minutes, 50 seconds.
- Mosayev has finished 91% of his fights.
- Orolbai has 29% Significant Strike defense.
Nazim Sadykhov vs. Nikolas Motta Prediction & Preview
Nazim Sadykhov is looking dangerous entering his bout this weekend. After losing his pro debut, he has remained unbeaten in his last 11 fights — nine of which have come by finish. Seeking to showcase the talent of the region and maintain his streak, Sadykhov will look to use impressive striking, and attempt to add a third finish in under a minute to his name.
The lone Brazilian on the card will be stepping into the cage his seventh time in his UFC career for this matchup. While his early UFC fights appeared inconsistent, Motta has finally managed to string together two victories. Of his 15 victories, 10 have been by knockout, eight coming within the first round. Motta will attempt to leverage his power to build upon his first UFC win streak.
Sadykhov vs. Motta: Fight Time 9 Minutes
- Motta has a 1.06 knockdown average.
- Both fighters absorb over 4.5 Significant Strikes a minute.
- Sadykhov averages 1.45 Takedowns per 15 minutes.
- Sadykhov's average fight lasts 9 minutes, 45 seconds.
Make UFC Baku Fight Night Picks Tonight
UFC Baku Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree is set to bring us another good weekend of great UFC fights on Saturday. The main card will start around 3 p.m. ET on ABC; before it does, be sure you’ve locked in your UFC Lineups on PrizePicks — it’s the easiest way to get real money action on your UFC Baku Fight Night predictions, including Hill vs. Rountree
With a diverse card featuring regional stars from around Azerbaijan, former champions, and a cast of striking talent, it will be a thrilling night of fights in the Baku Crystal Hall, which is hosting a UFC event for the first time.
Head to the PrizePicks app, pick More or Less on two or more UFC fighters, lock in your picks, and get ready for the sweat during UFC Baku Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree.
