The long-awaited showdown is finally here! Two featherweight stars, who have been lighting up the OKTAGON scene, will finally settle the score in the cage. And it’s none other than one of the biggest MMA talents, Max Holzer, facing off against the sharpshooter Deniz Ilbay! Why is this fight so special?
YOUTH VS. EXPERIENCE
On one side stands 23-year-old Max Holzer – a young phenomenon with a perfect record of 10-0, who has yet to taste defeat in the cage. On the ground, he’s practically unstoppable: 6 of his 10 victories have come by submission. But he can also handle himself standing up, with 2 knockout wins proving his ability to adapt.
Holzer is fast, aggressive, and unafraid to take risks. But that’s exactly where he might run into trouble – Ilbay is seven years older and significantly more experienced, with more than twice as many fights under his belt. A former professional boxer, Ilbay knows how to adjust to any opponent and precisely when to strike.
GROUND VS. STRIKING
In Dortmund, it will be a clash of styles. Holzer is a master on the ground, but Ilbay isn’t called “El Pistolero” for nothing – he earned that nickname thanks to his lethal punches that have floored opponents time and time again. In OKTAGON, all of his wins have come by knockout – Lengál, Deiga-Scheck, and Tripšanský have all fallen to his fists. Can he drop Holzer too?
THE BATTLE BEFORE THE FIGHT
Max Holzer is already entertaining fans not only with his performances in the cage but also with the show he builds around himself. His extravagant walkouts – once in costume, another time on a scooter – prove that Holzer enjoys the spotlight beyond just the fight itself. He soaked up the attention of more than 60,000 fans at Deutsche Bank Park.
Deniz Ilbay isn’t shy about showmanship either – his iconic entrance with a sombrero and Mexican mask is already legendary in OKTAGON. But as he himself says, the mask switches him into warrior mode – instead of an extravagant show, it's more about intense focus and dangerous energy.
Who will have the psychological edge even before they step into the cage?
WHO CAN HANDLE THE PRESSURE?
Holzer seems calm, but the pressure he’s about to face is unprecedented. What happens if Ilbay survives the first round and starts controlling the pace? Ilbay has experience in longer fights and knows how to manage his energy. If Holzer fails to finish the fight early, Ilbay could wear him down and punish the young fighter’s mistakes in the later rounds.
But it’s a huge challenge for Ilbay too – will this win finally cement his place among the top names in the organization? Or will Holzer send him into retirement?
THE BEST FEATHERWEIGHT BATTLE EVER?
Holzer is a new-generation phenomenon – dynamic, creative, and technically versatile. Ilbay represents the old-school boxing mentality: a tough striker with dynamite in his hands and a calm, calculated approach.
This fight has it all – youth vs. experience, grappler vs. striker, confidence vs. composure. German MMA is about to witness one of the biggest showdowns of the decade. Whether it ends by knockout or submission – this is a fight people will be talking about for years.
Holzer or Ilbay? Don’t miss the action at OKTAGON 69 – April 5th!
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