Middleweight contenders Brunno Ferreira and Ikram Aliskerov will meet on the main card of UFC Fight Night 280 on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Aliskerov enters the bout aiming for a third consecutive win, while Ferreira looks to rebound from a knockout loss to Gregory Rodrigues in March.
>>> Farman Hasanov Set for UFC Baku Debut Against Eric Nolan
Ferreira expressed strong confidence, downplaying his opponent's reputation in comments to MMA Fighting.
"I think [his hype] is a bit overblown," Ferreira said.
The Brazilian noted his extensive octagon experience as a key factor.
"This will be my 10th fight in the UFC and I've faced guys with much more justified hype than him.
Fighters with more skills, more dangerous opponents, and bigger names. So I do think the hype is a little exaggerated," Ferreira said.
He acknowledged Aliskerov's danger but pointed to a predictable fighting style.
"That said, he's still a dangerous fighter. But it's that fighting style everyone knows, the Russian style," Ferreira said.
Ferreira emphasized that the delayed booking gave him ample time to study his opponent.
"I had plenty of time to study him last year, and I've had plenty of time to study him again now," Ferreira said.
He highlighted Aliskerov's struggles against elite competition in the promotion.
"When you look at his opponents, the high-level guys he's fought, he lost to them. The two big names he faced, he lost to both of them.
