Matheus Camilo unfazed by Baku crowd ahead of UFC clash with Nazim Sadykhov

Matheus Camilo landed in Azerbaijan this week for his UFC Baku showdown with Nazim Sadykhov, but the Brazilian lightweight insists the pressure sits squarely on his opponent's shoulders.

Sadykhov steps into the cage Saturday night coming off his first UFC loss, a second-round knockout to Fares Ziam in 2025, after winning his first five promotional bouts and banking three Fight of the Night bonuses. Camilo told MMA Fighting that competing in front of more than 10,000 fans at the National Gymnastics Arena could backfire on the hometown fighter. "I think any fighter coming off a loss already feels more pressure, especially when they're fighting at home," he said. "I believe he's going to be under a lot of pressure."

Camilo sees blueprint to victory after studying Sadykhov tape

The 25-year-old has identified a potential weakness in Sadykhov's game after reviewing his recent fights. "From what I've seen in his fights, like when he fought Fares, he kind of falls apart as soon as his opponent starts mixing up the striking with takedowns," Camilo said. "I think that's the path to victory." He added that Sadykhov is "exactly the kind of matchup I want" and promised fans a striking showcase. "We're going to throw down, man."

Camilo has never competed in Azerbaijan, but his South Korea victory over Dorobshokh Nabotov on Dana White's Contender Series in 2024 gave him a template for handling hostile territory. He has fought twice inside the octagon since earning his contract, both on U.S. soil, and now trains out of Las Vegas. The Brazilian said the Baku climate reminds him of home. "The weather here is actually pretty similar to Brazil, hot and humid, so I felt right at home as soon as I arrived."

A win over Sadykhov on Saturday would be Camilo's second UFC victory following his decision over Slava Borshchev in November 2025, a fight he won despite suffering an injury mid-bout. He expects the result to "create new opportunities for me in the UFC" but refuses to look past the task in front of him. Before stepping into the cage as a rideshare driver in 2024, Camilo spent his teenage years in Acre dreaming of traveling the world through combat sports. "I'm living that dream today," he said.

Photo: Vomnx / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — ‘At home’ in enemy territory: Matheus Camilo plans to ‘throw down’ with Nazim Sadykhov at UFC Baku | MMA Fighting