In a thrilling turn of events, former Rizin standout Tofiq Musayev is set to make his second appearance in the UFC, aiming to secure his first victory inside the Octagon. Musayev will be going head-to-head with Samuel Sanches at UFC Fight Night 272, an event scheduled for April 4 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. This matchup was first reported by Leo Guimaraes and later confirmed by MMA Junkie.
Musayev had a challenging start in the UFC during his debut last June, where he faced a tough opponent in Myktybek Orolbai and unfortunately lost by submission in the first round at a catchweight bout of 165 pounds at UFC Baku. Prior to this setback, Musayev was riding high on a wave of success; he clinched the Rizin lightweight grand prix title in 2019 after a notable victory against Patricky Freire at Rizin 20. This win capped off an impressive 15-fight winning streak that he achieved from 2015 to 2019. Since then, however, his record has seen ups and downs, with three wins and three losses.
On the other side of the cage, 23-year-old Samuel Sanches will also be making his UFC debut after earning his spot by delivering a stunning first-round knockout of Chasen Blair on Dana White's Contender Series in September 2025. Known as "The Prodigy," Sanches boasts an impressive professional record, having won 11 out of 12 fights, with nine of those victories coming by way of finish.
As we prepare for this exciting clash, one can't help but wonder: will Musayev bounce back from his earlier defeat and reclaim his former glory, or will Sanches's momentum prove too strong? This matchup promises to deliver plenty of action and could shift the trajectory of both fighters' careers. What are your thoughts on Musayev's chances of redemption? Share your opinions below!
