To the death!
Rising Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight contender Ignacio Bahamondes returns to action in his biggest fight to date as he takes on No. 11-ranked Rafael Fiziev in the co-main event of UFC Baku this weekend (Sat., June 21, 2025) inside Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Bahamondes vs. Fiziev promises to be a show-stealer, pitting two elite strikers known for their exciting and violent fighting styles against each other. Both fighters are prepared for an all-out war, ensuring fireworks in the octagon.
In a recent interview, “Nacho” revealed that he is willing to die in order to get the win on Saturday, and expects his opponent to match his intensity.
“It’s going to be fireworks for three rounds or however long the fight lasts,” Bahamondes told MMAJunkie. “Fizev don’t play, he goes to fight, and I don’t play either. I’m going to stand there and try to finish him, so I’m excited to see how the fight goes because I’m willing to die in there, so I just hope he’s willing to die too.”
Riding a streak of three first-round stoppages—including two devastating knockouts and a career-ending submission of Jalin Turner—Bahamondes is itching to showcase his full arsenal. His recent fights have ended too quickly to display his complete skill set, so he’s hoping for a three-round showcase to dominate Fiziev and prove his place among the division’s elite.
“I would like to take this fight three rounds,” Bahamondes said. “I would like to dominate my opponent for three rounds so I have the opportunity to show everything I’ve got in my arsenal and take him to school.”
LIVE! Stream UFC Baku On ESPN+
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CROSSROADS! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) crashes Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Sat., June 21, 2025, with UFC Baku. Former 205-pound champion, Jamahal Hill, collides with veteran “War Horse,” Khalil Rountree Jr., in a blistering main event mashup scheduled for five, five-minute rounds. In UFC Baku’s co-main event, No. 11-ranked lightweight contender, Rafael Fiziev, locks horns with 155-pound striking sensation, Ignacio Bahamondes, with a spot in the lightweight Top 10 up for grabs.
Don’t miss a single second of face-punching action!
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Baku fight card right here, starting with the ESPN2/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. ET, before the ABC main card start time at 3 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).
To check out the latest and greatest UFC Baku: “Hill vs. Rountree” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.
