UFC Baku kicks off its main card with a featherweight firecracker on June 21, 2025, at the Baku Crystal Hall. Muhammad Naimov squares off against Austrai’s Bogdan Grad in a clash that promises non-stop action. Naimov, nicknamed “Hillman,” brings in a calculated striking game rooted in taekwondo, and is aiming to dictate the pace and thrill the Azerbaijani crowd who will most likely be rooting for their neighbor.
Grad, dubbed “The Unleashed,” counters with chaotic, high-pressure aggression, looking to turn the fight into a gritty brawl. This matchup blends Naimov’s precision with Grad’s relentless forward march, setting the stage for a potential show stealer. As part of the UFC’s historic debut in Azerbaijan, both fighters are eager to make this mark. Leaving us to question, will Niamov’s technical edge prevail, or can Grad’s wild energy steal the spotlight? This will be answered inside the Octagon soon.
The UFC Baku Main Card opens with a featherweight clash between Muhammad Naimov (12-3, with 4-1 record in UFC) vs. Bogdan Grad (15-2 with 1-0 in the UFC). Naimov, a 30-year-old Tajikistani blends taekwondo-based striking with 2.94 significant strikes per minute and 41% accuracy. He has solid grappling skills with 1.85 takedowns per 15 minutes, and his recent unanimous decision win over Kaan Olif highlights his ability to control fights.
Meanwhile, Grad, a 29-year old Austrian, brings chaos with high-volume striking, a whopping 5.83 significant strikes per minute, with 52% accuracy and agressive wrestling with 3.50 takedowns per 15 minutes. His UFC debut TKO over Lucas Alexander showcased his skills and for what is to come in the future. Naimov’s precision and experience face Grad’s frenetic pressure.
Expect Naimov to counter Grad’s aggressiveness with sharp strikes and timely takedowns, while Grad aims to overwhelm his opponent with sheer volume. This fight has the potential to steal the show.
The betting market banks on Naimov’s experience in the UFC over Grad’s volume striking. According to BetMGM, Naimov is the sizable -250 favorite, indicating the oddsmakers view this upcoming bout as a victory for Naimov. Meanwhile, Bogdan Grad is the +200 underdog, which suggest that the oddsmakers are expecting the Austrian to lose only his second fight in the UFC.
According to BetMGM, the fight is not expected to go to distance with odds currently at -135 to end before the final bell to +100. Which means that the oddsmakers expect the fight to be finished prior to the final bell.
Muhammad Naimov is set to face Bogdan Grad to start of the main card for UFC Baku. Naimov;s technical striking game should be able to exploit Grad’s defense, as stats say that he absorbs 7.84 strikes per minute. While Grad’s high-volume output and wrestling pose threat, Naimov’s superior takedown defense and scrambling ability will keep him upright. The Tajikistani’s UFC experience should also play a key role in determining the winner as he can use that to his advantage to take control of the fight.
Muhammad Naimov is predicted to defeat Bogdan Grad via unanimous decision at UFC Baku on June 21, 2025.
nfl
