Former RIZIN Lightweight Grand Prix winner, Tofiq Musayev, makes his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut against promising prospect, Myktybek Orolbai, at UFC Baku this weekend (Sat., June 21, 2025) in his home country of Azerbaijan.
Musayev’s arrival in UFC is electrifying, given his career defined by devastating knockouts. Yet, one factor raises eyebrows: his age.
At 35, turning 36 in December, Musayev could be considered past his prime, especially in the grueling Lightweight division, where UFC gold is notoriously elusive because of a certain curse.
The Azerbaijani fighter, however, dismisses the concern.
“Age is just a number for me,” Musayev told reporters during UFC Baku media day. “If anyone thinks otherwise, they shouldn’t even be competing in UFC.”
Musayev had an offer to sign with UFC a couple of days after defeating Patricky Pitbull to win RIZIN’s Lightweight Grand Prix back in 2019, but instead of signing instantly, he sat back and waited for RIZIN to match an offer, which the Japanese-based mixed martial arts (MMA) ultimately did.
Then, the COVID-19 pandemic stalled his career, sidelining him through 2020 and mid-2021. A submission loss to Roberto de Souza followed, after which he went 1-1 in Bellator before competing twice more in RIZIN.
If the 35-year-old wants to chase UFC gold, he’s got to speed run the ultra-stacked Lightweight division; however, first this weekend, he’s got to get through the Orolbai, who might be one of the best unranked fighters on UFC’s roster.
Good luck, and remember, Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number!
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+).
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