Another Bellator MMA veteran is debuting in the UFC this Saturday, in this case Tofiq Musayev, who will step into the octagon for the first time at UFC Baku.
Musayev (22-5) also won the RIZIN lightweight grand prix in 2019, and went 7-1 for that promotion in addition to splitting a pair of fights with Bellator. At 35, he’s getting a late start in the UFC’s lightweight division, but during the UFC Baku media day, the Azerbaijani noted that “age is just a number.”
“If anyone think that it’s otherwise, they shouldn’t be competing in the UFC,” Musayev added, speaking via translator.
The age of debuting fighters has been a topic of conversation for UFC fans of late. Patricio Pitbull made his UFC debut earlier this year at 37; he’ll turn 38 next month. Michael Chandler also made the move late, and despite fighting for UFC gold, his run has not lived up to expectations in terms of wins and losses. Michael “Venom” Page is also 38, and is 2-1 since joining the promotion last year.
Of course, the comparatively young Patchy Mix made his debut just over a week ago, losing for just the second time in his pro career, at age 31, to Mario Bautista.
As for Musayev’s current assignment, he will face Myktybek Orolbai at UFC Baku this Saturday. Both fighters have solid striking, but Musayev noted that “every fighter has his own plan, and the moment you start the fight, the end goes at the beginning.”
The newcomer also addressed talk that he hadn’t wanted to accept a fight with Orolbai initially, saying that he never rejects a fight, but instead, “it wasn’t officially presented by the UFC.”
Watch the full UFC Baku media day appearance by Tofiq Musayev above.
