Ruziboev vs Pulyaev: the first UFC in Baku decides regional ambitions

UFC Fight Night 280 will take place for the first time in Baku, Azerbaijan, where local favorite Nursulton Ruziboev will face off against Russian veteran Andrey Pulyaev in the evening's main event. The tournament will be the first in the region and will open a new page for Caucasian MMA fans. The middleweight bout promises to be entertaining as Ruziboev, a 27-year-old fighter with a 13-2 record, will enter the Octagon with the support of the local crowd.

His opponent Pulyaev, a 34-year-old experienced fighter with 24 victories, came to Azerbaijan with a reputation as a tough tactician. Not only status is at stake, but also the opportunity for Ruziboev to gain a foothold in the top 15 of the UFC rankings. The organizers emphasized the importance of the event for the region.

“Baku has long deserved such a tournament. This is a chance to show that the Caucasus is not only traditions, but also modern high-level sport,” said a UFC representative. The tournament will take place at the Criterium Hall on July 20, 2025.

Experts note a stylistic opposition: Ruziboev prefers aggressive pressing with an emphasis on punches, while Pulyaev specializes in control on the ground and precise counterpunching. 10 for Ruziboev’s victory). ” Local promoters link the event with the growing popularity of MMA in the region - over the past three years, the number of tournaments in Azerbaijan has grown by 40%, and the number of licensed fighters has doubled.

For the country, this is not only a sports project, but also an image project: the authorities expect that the event will strengthen the international prestige of Azerbaijan as a center of martial arts. On the eve of the tournament, local fans organized a campaign #RuziboevHome, which collected more than 50 thousand mentions on social networks. The support of the fans became an additional factor of pressure on the opponent: Pulyaev, accustomed to a more restrained atmosphere, may encounter aggression from the stands that is unusual for him.

At the same time, analysts note that it is important for Ruziboev not to succumb to emotions - his style requires discipline even under a hail of applause. What's next: after the fight, Ruziboev is counting on the title of contender, and Pulyaev is counting on returning to the top 25. The next UFC tournament in Azerbaijan could take place as early as 2026 if this fight lives up to expectations.

If Ruziboev wins, local authorities have already announced a program to support Caucasian fighters, including grants and training camps with world trainers. For Pulyaev, this fight may be the last attempt to break into the elite before retiring. The regional context adds urgency: neighboring Georgia and Armenia are also seeing a growing number of professional fighters, and Azerbaijan is aiming to become a leader in this trend.

In 2024, the local MMA federation signed an agreement with ONE Championship on joint tournaments, which opens the way for Azerbaijani fighters to the Asian arena. Thus, UFC Fight Night 280 is not only a fight, but also a test of the maturity of Caucasian MMA as a global force. Read at Sport Express