UFC announced a multi-year partnership with Azerbaijan's Ministry of Youth and Sports and Baku City Circuit Operations Company to bring UFC Fight Night events to Baku annually through 2028. The next event, UFC Fight Night Baku, is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 at the National Gymnastics Arena.

The partnership follows UFC's debut event in Baku last June, which sold out the Baku Crystal Hall with more than 14,000 attendees. UFC President and CEO Dana White met with Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov in Las Vegas to formalize the agreement.

"Baku is one of the best cities in the world to visit," White said in the announcement. "The hospitality was next level, and the fans were incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about the sport."

Gayibov described the partnership as marking "a significant milestone in Azerbaijan's strategy to solidify its status as a premier global sports destination." He noted that the collaboration would provide Azerbaijani fighters with a platform to compete before home crowds.

Maqsud Farzullayev, General Director of Baku City Circuit Operations Company, said the organization is seeing "exceptionally strong regional demand, with a notable increase in inbound visitors" for this year's event.

UFC is owned by TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and produces more than 40 live events annually. The organization reports having more than 700 million fans and approximately 353 million social media followers worldwide.

Baku City Circuit Operations Company organizes major international sporting events in Azerbaijan and serves as the official promoter of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The company became the official organizer of UFC events in Azerbaijan in 2025, according to the announcement.