Ex-Rizin Standout Tofiq Musayev to Face Myktybek Orolbai at UFC Baku on June 21

Former Rizin Fighting Federation and Bellator MMA talent Tofiq Musayev will make his Octagon debut against Myktybek Orolbai at UFC Baku.

Both fighters confirmed the booking via social media following an initial report from VestnikMMA. UFC Baku — also known as UFC on ABC 8 — takes place on June 21 at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan and is headlined by a light heavyweight showdown between Khalil Rountree and Jamahal Hill.

A native of Baku, Musaev hasn’t fought since November 2023, when he scored a second-round knockout of Koji Takeda at Rizin “Landmark Vol. 7.” In addition to being a lightweight grand prix winner with the Japanese promotion, Musayev went 1-1 during a brief stint in Bellator. Musayev was one of many prominent fighters slated to compete for the Global Fight League before the ill-fated promotion canceled its first two announced events earlier this year.

Orolbai, meanwhile, is coming off a memorable brawl at UFC 308, where he dropped a split decision to Mateusz Rebecki in a bout that earned “Fight of the Night” honors. That snapped an eight-bout professional winning streak for the Kygyzstan native, who began his promotional tenure with triumphs against Uros Medic and Elves Brener.