A major bummer for flyweight fans, and fans of Japanese MMA, as former UFC title challenger, Bellator MMA and RIZIN FF champ Kyoji Horiguchi has dropped out of his return to the promotion.
Horiguchi had been scheduled to face Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC Baku on June 21, 2025. However, as first reported by Red Corner MMA, Horiguchi is out of the bout, replaced by Azat Maksum.
Multiple sources confirmed the booking on Monday, with Maksum also posting the news on his Instagram Story.
The reason behind Horiguchi’s withdrawal has yet to be disclosed.
Tagir Ulanbekov (16-2) will enter UFC Baku on a three-fight win streak. The Dagestani flyweight has been looked at as a future contender since joining the UFC in 2020 and has gone 5-1 inside the octagon. His lone loss in the promotion came against Tim Elliott at UFC 272.
Maksum (15-1) has not been seen since his Fight of the Night effort against Charles “InnerG” Johnson in February of 2024. Losing a decision against Johnson dropped the Kazakh to 1-1 in the UFC; Maksum had been booked against CJ Vergara last August, only for both athletes to withdraw from the fight.
UFC Baku represents the promotion’s debut in the country of Azerbaijan, and takes place June 21, 2025 at the Baku Crystal Hall. The following match-ups have been reported for the card:
- Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.
- Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
- Muhammad Naimov vs. Bogdan Grad
- Nazim Sadykhov vs. Nikolas Motta
- Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Kyoji Horiguchi
- Irina Alekseeva vs. Klaudia Syguła
- Melissa Mullins vs. Daria Zheleznyakova
- Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Mohammed Usman
- Ismail Naurdiev vs. Park Jun-yong
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev
- Tofiq Musayev vs. Myktybek Orolbai
