An undefeated Contender Series winner will make his UFC debut this June.
Murtazali Magomedov (10-0) will face Melsik Baghdasaryan (8-3) in his promotional debut on June 20, 2026 as first reported by MMA Mania’s Alex Behunin.
Murtazali Magomedov has his UFC debut set!
He is taking on Melsik Baghdasaryan on June 20th, per sources pic.twitter.com/FCXIKiqEzv— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) April 29, 2026
Magomedov later confirmed the booking on social media.
Coming off a stellar performance on this past season’s edition of Dana White’s Contender Series, Murtazali Magomedov enters the promotion with all ten of his victories coming by finish. Fighting out of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the undefeated 26-year-old previously held the Octagon League featherweight title before earning his opportunity to fight in front of the UFC brass. Now, he’ll chase another title on the biggest stage in the world, but first, he takes on Melsik “The Gun” Baghdasaryan.
Baghdasaryan has had an up-and-down start to his UFC career, holding a 3-2 record inside the Octagon. Injuries and inactivity have limited the 34-year-old to just five fights since earning a contract back in 2020. Most recently, Baghdasaryan entered the cage in February 2025 against surging contender Jean Silva at UFC Seattle, where he suffered a viral first-round knockout loss. “The Gun” will look to return to the win column in this matchup and spoil the debut of the intriguing Murtazali Magomedov.
The two will go head-to-head at the UFC Apex on June 20, adding to a loaded UFC Vegas 119 card. The event is headlined by the rematch between Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi and also features the return of undefeated prospects André Lima and Navajo Stirling.