The UFC’s return to Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday night features a middleweight clash between Nursulton Ruziboev and Andrey Pulyaev. 

Ruziboev (36–9–2, 4–1 UFC) has won 12 of his last 13 bouts and returns to the cage for the first time since May 2025, when he scored a unanimous decision win over Dustin Stoltzfus. Pulyaev (10–4, 1–2 UFC) will look to rebound from January’s UD loss to surging prospect Ateba Gautier. 

Ruziboev enters as a -230 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Pulyaev is a +190 underdog, with the fight total set at O/U 1.5 rounds.

Ruziboev vs. Pulyaev Preview

Nursulton Ruziboev

• 36–9–2 (4–1 UFC)
• 13–1 (T)KO
• 20–1 SUB

Nursulton Ruziboev has more professional wins than years he’s been alive. The same goes for stoppages. The 32-year-old kickboxer from Uzbekistan has recorded 33 victories inside the distance, including 13 knockouts and a whopping 20 submissions. He’s finished 25 fights inside the first round. 

A pro since 2014, “Black” has gone 12–1 since the turn of the decade. That scorching run includes four wins in his first five trips to the Octagon — his only loss coming against middleweight linchpin Joaquin Buckley. After more than a year away, he’ll look to pick up where he left off from his unanimous decision win over Dustin Stoltzfus last May. 

Andrey Pulyaev

• 10–4 (1–2 UFC)
• 6–1 (T)KO
• 2–0 SUB

Andrey Pulyaev is still looking to prove himself in the UFC. The Russian southpaw — who punched a ticket to MMA’s flagship promotion on Dana White’s Contender Series — has fallen short in two of his first three trips to the Octagon. 

The 28-year-old contender remains an aggressive and accurate striker — holding a black belt in Kudo, a hybrid martial art characterized as “MMA in a gi and a helmet.” He’s also exceptionally difficult to put away, surviving three rounds with surging stoppage artist Ateba Gautier earlier this year. Granted, he got knocked down twice en route to a unanimous decision loss. And while he notched his first UFC win in his previous outing against Nick Klein, it wasn’t before getting taken down four times.

Ruziboev vs. Pulyaev Pick, Best Bet

Ruziboev’s resume is insane. With ridiculous finishing upside, an almost untouchable run of form, and legitimate UFC success, he enters Saturday with a prime opportunity to record another stoppage against the unproven Pulyaev. And while he hasn’t yet secured one inside the Octagon, a 21st submission victory offers tantalizing value at +1000 odds. 

Best Bet: Nursulton Ruziboev by KO/TKO/DQ or Submission (+130)