The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has signed a multi-year cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Baku City Circuit (BCC) operating company. According to the agreement, Baku will host annual UFC Fight Night events through 2028, with the next event scheduled to take place on June 27 at the National Gymnastics Arena.
The Baku City Circuit told Operative Information Center-OMM that the partnership follows the significant success of the debut UFC event held at the Baku Crystal Hall last June, which attracted more than 14,000 spectators. During a meeting in Las Vegas, UFC President and CEO Dana White and Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov discussed the continuation of this success and future development opportunities for the partnership. "Baku is one of the best cities in the world to visit. The city is beautiful, and the people are extremely friendly. The hospitality was at the highest level, and the fans are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about the sport," White stated.
Minister Farid Gayibov emphasized that securing a multi-year partnership with the UFC is a significant milestone in strengthening Azerbaijan's position as a global sports hub. Building on the experience of hosting prestigious international events such as the inaugural European Games and the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, this collaboration is expected to accelerate the development of mixed martial arts (MMA) and create new opportunities for athletes in Azerbaijan and the wider region. The inclusion of the UFC in the national sports calendar further demonstrates the country's capacity to host high-level international competitions using its world-class infrastructure.
Magsud Farzullayev, CEO of the Baku City Circuit, expressed confidence that the upcoming event would see even higher interest and an increase in the number of visitors to the capital. "We are pleased to expand our partnership and bring Fight Night events back to Baku. We are confident that the event will be held on a larger scale and provide an unforgettable experience for all participants," Farzullayev added. Fans can register for updates and early ticket access at UFC.com/Baku or follow @UFC on social media for the latest news.
