Tagir Ulanbekov’s Counters Held Off a Persistent Azat Maksum
Tagir Ulanbekov defeated Azat Maksum by unanimous decision at Baku Crystal Hall on June 21, 2025. Their flyweight contest ended with two 30–27 scores and one 29–28 after Maksum’s takedown defense helped produce a competitive striking battle.
Defended takedowns kept the opening exchanges standing
Maksum moved in and out behind his jab and right hand. Ulanbekov attempted to tie him up and complete a takedown, but Maksum resisted the early wrestling entries.
Ulanbekov adjusted by landing counters as Maksum advanced. He connected with right hands and brought a head kick behind a combination near the end of the round.
Counters met another late positional change
Ulanbekov increased his offense in the second, allowing Maksum to initiate before answering with straight punches. Maksum continued defending takedowns effectively rather than allowing prolonged control.
Late in the round, Maksum reversed a wrestling exchange and completed takedowns of his own. That success kept the contest active as it moved into the final five minutes.
The final exchanges completed a hard-fought decision
Both men landed during the third. Ulanbekov pursued further takedowns, while Maksum defended and answered with punches before they traded knees and short shots in the clinch.
Maksum had replaced Kyoji Horiguchi after injury removed the returning former UFC fighter from the booking. Ulanbekov ultimately left with the unanimous verdict, while the replacement challenger demonstrated enough defensive wrestling to force a more varied contest than a straightforward ground-control performance.
Sources
- UFC: Baku date, venue and official judges’ cards
- Cageside Press: defended takedowns, counters, Maksum’s late offense and replacement booking
- UFC: event record and flyweight result
