UFC Kazakhstan adds Zhalgas Zhumagulov homecoming vs. Jordan Espinosa

UFC Kazakhstan will be a homecoming for promotional newcomer Zhalgas Zhumagulov.

Recently-inked flyweight Zhumagulov (13-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will welcomes Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus Jordan Espinosa, in one of the first UFC fights held on Kazakhstani soil.

Two people with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the booking, but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

UFC Kazakhstan is expected to take place June 13 at Astana Arena in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. The event has still not been officially announced by the UFC, so no streaming info is available yet. No other bouts have been announced for the event at this time.

Zhumagulov, 31, has won four straight fights, and seven of eight, entering his promotional debut. His most recent eight outings have come under the Fight Nights Global promotional banner, where he’s picked up the flyweight title.

As for Espinosa (14-7 MMA, 1-2 UFC), the Luttrell’s MMA product is in need of a victory. Since winning his UFC debut against Eric Shelton in March 2019, Espinosa has dropped back-to-back outings. In August 2019, Espinosa was submitted in the first round by Matt Schnell. In January 2020, history repeated itself when Espinosa was once again submitted in Round 1 – this time, at the hands of Alex Perez.