The UFC’s upcoming event in Baku, Azerbaijan, scheduled for June 21, faces unexpected hurdles as Jamahal Hill refuses to fly there due to escalating hostilities in the Middle East. With growing concerns over safety amid missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, UFC President Dana White is closely monitoring the situation.
Jamahal Hill Withdraws from Trip Over Safety Concerns in Middle East Conflict Zone
Following a successful UFC event in Atlanta, the promotion was set to expand into Azerbaijan’s Crystal Hall with Jamahal Hill headlining against Khalil Rountree Jr. However, Hill and his team decided not to travel on the Doha–Baku flight since the route passes over volatile Israeli and Iranian airspace. This decision comes amid renewed missile strikes between Israel and Iran, escalating tensions significantly since June 13.
“According to several sources, Jamal Hill has refused to fly to Baku, where he was supposed to headline a UFC Main Event next week. The reason was concerns about a possible escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, where Israel and Iran have been exchanging missile strikes in recent days.” —Offsideplus.az via Face on Instagram
Hill’s concerns echo the devastating 2014 incident involving Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, tragically shot down during the conflict between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces, killing all passengers and crew onboard. The regional instability places doubt on travel safety, making Hill’s hesitation understandable. The United Nations recently held Russia accountable for that attack, underscoring the dangers flights may face over conflict zones.
Ongoing Regional Conflicts Cast a Shadow over UFC’s Azerbaijan Debut
Azerbaijan sits at the center of regional tensions, bordered directly by Iran and locked in a protracted dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. This territory dispute has led to violent clashes for decades and intensified into a war in 2023, ending with Armenia’s defeat and loss of control. Although peace accords were made in 2025, unresolved border and recognition issues continue to stoke hostility between the nations.
These political frictions have sparked social media backlash, especially from Armenian fans who accuse Azerbaijan of genocide and oppose the UFC staging an event there. Given the sensitive geopolitical backdrop, the decision to host UFC in Baku raises questions about the potential risks involved.
Dana White Addresses Safety and Political Tensions Ahead of UFC Baku
With the event less than a week away, UFC President Dana White responded to the growing concerns about security during a press conference post-UFC 314. He downplayed the risk by stating,
“I don’t think this situation can affect security.” —Dana White
He further explained,
“I mean, if there was any real threat to the safety of the fighters, we wouldn’t be holding the tournament there.” —Dana White
Despite White’s assurances, the uncertainty surrounding Jamahal Hill’s attendance remains unresolved. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani fighter Rafael Fiziev, a native of the country, is expected to arrive shortly, potentially impacting the event‘s lineup and dynamics.
Implications of Hosting a UFC Event Amid Political Instability
The UFC’s decision to debut in Baku amid increasing Middle East tensions and unresolved regional conflicts highlights the complexities of global sports expansion into politically sensitive areas. Hill’s refusal to board the flight underscores the heightened caution athletes exercise when security risks emerge, especially related to flying over contested airspace between hostile nations.
For Dana White and the UFC, balancing the ambition to enter new markets against the backdrop of geopolitical instability will remain a key challenge. The outcome of UFC Baku could influence future decisions about hosting events in regions marked by conflict, potentially affecting fighters, fans, and the broader sports community.
As the situation develops, attention will focus on whether Jamahal Hill ultimately participates and how the UFC manages safety concerns moving forward, amid one of the most tense periods in recent Middle Eastern history.