Preview: UFC Baku ‘Hill vs. Rountree’

Featherweights
Muhammadjon Naimov (12-3, 4-1 UFC) vs. Bogdan Grad (15-2, 1-0 UFC)
UFC Baku Betting Odds: Naimov (-230), Grad (+190)

Naimov has helped lead a surprisingly effective wave of Tajik talent in the UFC, starting off his UFC campaign with two impressive wins in 2023. “Hillman” might not be the prettiest fighter, but he’s physically strong and willing to wing some hard counters, which was enough to lead him past Jamie Mullarkey and Nathaniel Wood. Naimov’s momentum surprisingly came to an end against Felipe Lima in 2024, as the then-UFC newcomer was aggressive and athletic enough to stay ahead of Naimov and eventually tire him out—a game plan that Kaan Ofli was able to follow a bit in his February fight against Naimov. Ofli succeeded in making it a grimy affair, even a bit more so than Naimov seemingly would’ve approved, even if Naimov did wind up getting the decision win in the end. That makes for an interesting dynamic here against Grad, another opponent that figures to bring the fight to Naimov.



Grad was unsuccessful in his first shot on the Contender Series, getting knocked out by Tom Nolan as a lightweight, but cut down to featherweight and has gone undefeated since. Grad’s approach is still somewhat messy in its relentless aggression, but the power and strength dynamics now favor the Austrian to a much greater degree. Grad winning this on volume wouldn’t be a shock, but Naimov looks sturdy enough to overpower Grad in the aggregate if this winds up going shot-for-shot and grind-for-grind. The pick is Naimov via decision.

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Hill vs. Rountree
Bahamondes vs. Fiziev
Blaydes vs. Kuniev
Orolbai vs. Musayev
Sadykhov vs. Motta
Naimov vs. Grad
The Prelims