<p>Kerim Engizek is one of the top middleweights in European MMA. The undefeated OKTAGON champion for over ten years is at the peak of his career. However, his journey to the top wasn’t as glorious from the start. What was his childhood in Düsseldorf like? And how did he become the dominant middleweight champion? Read on about Kerim Engizek’s journey.</p><oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/5ffa9cbd-fd47-4c59-bbfa-907bbf529aee/cs.1753117187562.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/f5d7f10d-5198-402d-a32d-75cb76a5cea5/cs.1753117194225.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>FROM A CHILDHOOD HOME TO THE BOXING RING</h2><p>Kerim’s childhood was far from easy. When he was seven, his father was arrested and sentenced to several years in prison. Kerim and his older brother Metin were also taken away from their mother’s care and sent to an <strong>orphanage</strong>, where they spent the next<strong> 10 years</strong>. Kerim mentioned in an interview that he had to fight every day—not for sport, but for food and respect. His life at that time consisted of street fights and conflicts. Despite his athletic talent, financial struggles prevented him from making it in football. It wasn’t <strong>until he was 17</strong> when his older brother took him to a <strong>boxing training session</strong> that one of the coaches immediately recognized his talent.</p><h2>LEARNING HARD LIFE LESSONS: THE SHIFT TO MMA</h2><p>When Kerim started boxing, he defeated opponent after opponent in quick succession. He fought <strong>more than 40 matches</strong> for the prestigious Bayer Leverkusen boxing club in the top German boxing league. But bureaucracy intervened—without a German passport, he couldn’t attend the German championships. Changing his citizenship wasn’t an option for Kerim; <strong>he was proud of his Turkish heritage</strong>. Then he saw an MMA match and immediately decided he wanted to be a complete fighter. The discipline, hard work, and new coaches helped him transition from boxing to mixed martial arts, a sport he fell in love with.</p><h2>MAINLY AVOID ANY TROUBLE</h2><p>Though he could let off steam during training, Kerim still worked as a <strong>bouncer in a night club</strong> and was often on the edge of the law. Like many other fighters early in their careers, he needed to earn money for his training. However, when one of his friends was arrested during a conflict, <strong>it was a turning point in Kerim’s life</strong>. If he didn’t want to end up like his father, he knew he needed to change his path and fully commit to sport.</p><h2>ROAD TO THE TITLE—9 YEARS UNDEFEATED</h2><p>Kerim joined OKTAGON after being a multiple champion in the German promotions GMC and EMC. His <strong>last loss came in September 2014,</strong> the same year films like John Wick and American Sniper were released. His first win in the yellow-black cage came in 2023, when he knocked out Juarez in the second minute of the fight. He showed his dominance in the next match against Adam Horváth, securing another win in the first round. A title shot didn’t take long to arrive, but it wasn’t just any fight—he challenged <strong>Patrik Kincl in Frankfurt</strong> in front of <strong>60,000 fans</strong>. Despite entering as the underdog, Kerim controlled the fight, and after five rounds, he celebrated the biggest win of his career during the largest MMA event in the world, extending his <strong>winning streak to 14!</strong></p><h2>NEW CHALLENGE: TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER</h2><p>Shortly after winning the middleweight title at OKTAGON, a new challenge emerged—the million-dollar <strong>Tipsport Gamechanger pyramid</strong>. The largest MMA tournament in Europe, attracting fighters from all over the world. The fighters will divide one million euros, with the winner taking home<strong> 300,000 euros</strong>. In the first round, the Turkish champion faced the tough Polish fighter <strong>Kamil Oniszczuk</strong>, who didn’t make it easy for him. Engizek barely secured a close victory by decision, but he could breathe a sigh of relief.</p><p>In just two weeks, Kerim will face another extremely tough test at <strong>Štvanice</strong>—English veteran <strong>Mick Stanton</strong>. Stanton has not been shy in interviews and seems very confident against Kerim. He’ll have to back up his words in the cage, where Engizek has ruled with an iron fist for over ten years.</p><h2>HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE</h2><p>Kerim hasn’t always had it easy, but today he is not only a champion but also a father and a man working on his own business. <strong>He helps children from the streets and orphanages</strong>, showing them that change is truly possible. He is proof that if you bite the bullet and don’t give up, you can completely turn your life around. <strong>He truly has the heart of a fighter.</strong></p><p><strong>Kerim Engizek is living proof that even from tough circumstances, a true star can rise. With over ten years undefeated, a championship title, and a promising future in the million-dollar Tipsport Gamechanger pyramid, don’t miss the chance to witness this story live. Get your last tickets for OKTAGON 74 or watch the entire tournament from the comfort of your home via our PPV!</strong></p><okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>

Kerim Engizek is one of the top middleweights in European MMA. The undefeated OKTAGON champion for over ten years is at the peak of his career. However, his journey to the top wasn’t as glorious from the start.

KERIM ENGIZEK'S STORY: FROM THE STREETS OF DÜSSELDORF TO THE TOP OF EUROPEAN MMA

<p>We’re back at Štvanice! <strong>OKTAGON 74 </strong>will bring the best middleweight in Europe – four quarterfinals of the <strong>Tipsport Gamechanger Million Pyramid</strong>. The <strong>women’s bantamweight queen title fight</strong> between Szabová and Bolander, and a men’s title duel in featherweight with <strong>Severino vs. Cartwright</strong>. But that's not all! The alternate fights in the pyramid will offer an action-packed spectacle.</p><oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/41337fb0-7ce0-42e4-90e1-09f488050df5/cs.1752841788819.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/aff84d85-cb7d-4b9e-8a1b-5dcc8b3354fa/cs.1752841799257.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>MAREK MAZÚCH AS A REPLACEMENT FOR HIS FRIEND ČEPO</h2><p>Simply put – a fight like fine wine! Slovak powerhouse<strong> Marek Mazúch</strong> was chosen by fans as the <strong>"Lucky Loser"</strong> and got a chance to step into the Tipsport Gamechanger. The<strong> current #3 in the OKTAGON middleweight rankings</strong> has scalps like David Zawada and Jamie Cordero on his record. His famous “grenades” sent “Apollo” Silva to the canvas in boxing gloves. Out of nine fights, <strong>he has seven finishes before the limit.</strong> At Štvanice, he will fight instead of his teammate Vlasta Čepo, who couldn’t recover in time after his last bout. Mazúch will want to redeem himself after a tough loss to the brave Piotr Wawrzyniak, but standing in his way is the extremely dangerous opponent, <strong>Krzysztof Jotko.</strong></p><p>A UFC veteran, <strong>former world #13 middleweight</strong>, and one of the big favorites for the overall victory, Jotko handled the welterweight champion <strong>Ion Surdu</strong> in the first round of the pyramid. For many fans and experts, this result was a surprise. However, Jotko showed <strong>how strong</strong>, <strong>technical, and strategic he could be</strong>. He was able to eliminate Surdu’s biggest threats in the stand-up and, on the other hand, masterfully used his advantage in the clinch and on the ground. Mazúch will need to approach this fight very carefully – against Jotko, every mistake could be fatal.</p><h2>DAVID ZAWADA vs. KAMIL ONISZCZUK</h2><p><strong>David “SAGAT” Zawada</strong> is one of the most prominent fighters on the German scene. A UFC veteran with experience from around the world, he boasts 19 wins, 12 of which were by KO/TKO and 5 by submission. He rarely leaves decisions to the judges, and that’s what makes him a popular fighter and a dangerous opponent. He trains under the guidance of his older brother, legendary Martin Zawada, and as the stats show, he can threaten both on the feet and on the ground. In the first round, he was bested by the favored Matěj Peňáz, but now, his desire to win will be stronger than ever. Not many know that “SAGAT” is one of the <strong>only four fighters to defeat the middleweight champion Kerim Engizek</strong>. He defeated the star Turkish fighter in 2012. Both fighters began their professional MMA careers in 2010.</p><p><strong>Kamil Oniszczuk</strong> is one of the most interesting additions of 2025. The Polish fighter with experience from ACA, Bellator, and Babylon MMA has a record of 10-5, and in OKTAGON, he wants to prove that he belongs among Europe’s elite. In the first round of the pyramid, he gave Engizek a tough challenge, but Engizek ultimately secured a very close victory by decision. Oniszczuk is known for his <strong>hard kicks</strong>, which have earned him victories twice – once with a devastating body kick and the other time with leg kicks that literally wore his opponent down. For the 28-year-old fighter, this will be an important fight that could move him closer to the middleweight rankings and a chance to reenter the million-dollar pyramid.</p><p><strong>The Tipsport Gamechanger Million Pyramid is still in play for these fighters, and no one wants to miss such an opportunity. On August 9th, we will see another installment of this year’s European MMA league of champions. Be there live under the open sky at the most beautiful tournament of the year. Štvanice will come alive again! Last tickets are still available.</strong></p><okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>

We’re back at Štvanice! OKTAGON 74 will bring the best middleweight in Europe – four quarterfinals of the Tipsport Gamechanger Million Pyramid. The women’s bantamweight queen title fight between Szabová and Bolander, and a men’s title duel in featherweight with Severino vs. Cartwright. But that's not all! 

FATE OF TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER ALTERNATES: MAZÚCH RETURNS, ZAWADA FACES ONISZCZUK

<p>It all started with a brief: create a video that will kick off the new essence of OKTAGON, called Face Your Fear. The “Hero” spot was premiered in front of a packed Eden stadium during OKTAGON 72. The creative group OPA is behind its creation. How did this project come to life, and what lies behind its creation?</p><oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/a546a525-4c37-4e62-97c5-873bd4f213f0/cs.1752750741505.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/1f0a2738-f2d4-44e9-bf87-0a45e47e8295/cs.1752750747749.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>WHEN YOU HAVE FREE REIN, ART IS BORN</h2><p>The OPA production group is not very experienced in the MMA world. Perhaps that’s exactly why their perspective was so refreshing. "In most of our projects, we get very specific briefs, leaving little room for creativity. But this time, we had complete freedom, and that immediately excited us," says producer Filip Hinca. MMA was a new territory for them. The video wasn’t meant to be just about sports; the brief was to create a work of art that carries our philosophy and conveys it in a creative way. And all of this had to be done in just four weeks. “It was definitely a challenge, but we’re used to working under time pressure. Once the creative idea and script were approved, we started working on multiple fronts. Additionally, the collaboration with the OKTAGON team was very efficient and built on trust,” adds Hinca.</p><h2>FEAR AS A DRIVING FORCE</h2><p>The theme of Face Your Fear is not easy. Fear is deep, fragile, personal. Yet, it is universal. "We didn’t want to portray fear as a negative emotion; instead, we tried to show what happens when a person overcomes it," explains director Adam Kubala. The goal was to find a balance between civility and strength. "We wanted it to be authentic, not cliché, while still conveying strength, motivation, and drive."</p><p>There were many ideas at the beginning, but they had to be filtered down, which was the job of Adam and Filip, who bring the creativity. Kubala mentioned that they used a "trial and error" method until both agreed on an idea. “The key decision for us was that we would build the entire video towards a ‘final fight’ moment where our hero confronts his fears. That was probably when the final idea came to life.”</p><oktinstagramcomponent url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DK9-b4XKMUo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D"></oktinstagramcomponent><h2>FROM HEART ANIMATION TO THE FINAL STRIKE</h2><p>The video starts with a 3D shot symbolizing a beating heart, all created using AI. This leads to a series of visually and emotionally powerful scenes, culminating in the moment of transformation—entering the cage. “We like to experiment with visual effects. We often use them if it’s too expensive or dangerous to execute in the real world,” says Tomáš Dvořák, VFX specialist for OPA.</p><p>The entire VFX post-production ran from the initial approval of the idea until the final submission. "In this case, we started the spot with a fully 3D-created shot (Full CGI), except for the movement of the main character, where AI helped us – saving a lot of time in animation. Then we had the heart shot, created entirely with AI, and the rest of the video was a combination of real footage and digital effects," explains Dvořák about the technology and process.</p><h2>WHEN THE CAST REFLECTS THE IDEA</h2><p>Finding the right actor for the lead role wasn’t easy. It had to be an actor with experience in combat sports. After considering more than 200 candidates, the team immediately liked IKI, who was ultimately chosen. "Because of his experience as a host, he was already comfortable in front of the camera, exuded confidence, and also looked good. We clicked on a personal level, so he was a perfect fit," says director Adam Kubala about the casting choice for the main protagonist.</p><h2>MORE THAN JUST A SLOGAN</h2><p>Face Your Fear is not just a slogan. It’s a mindset, a philosophy that helps us move forward in moments when things get tough. “We told ourselves that during stressful moments in the shoot – and we tell ourselves that now too. It actually became our internal mantra,” admits Kubala.</p><p>The concept of the video is also strongly inspired by the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche. "The core idea comes from Nietzsche’s teachings – his philosophy emphasizes the importance of facing your fears. He views fear as a compass, showing us the way. It’s a universal theme. It doesn’t matter if you’re an ordinary person or a professional fighter – everyone knows the feeling of fear, and overcoming it pushes us forward," adds producer Filip Hinca.</p><h2>A NEW WORLD, A NEW AUDIENCE</h2><p>While the video opened a new chapter of storytelling for OKTAGON, it also marked OPA's entrance into the world of MMA. "Before, we knew almost nothing about it. But when we stood in Eden in front of 24,000 fans and felt that atmosphere, we began to understand why people love it, and we became fans ourselves," says Hinca.</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R18GDdQxAww">The HERO video</a> became more than just the opening of a new chapter for the organization. It reflects the philosophy that says: fear does not define us, but how we face it does. And this is what Face Your Fear is all about.</p><p>If you haven’t seen the spot yet, you can find it on our YouTube channel. If you’ve already seen it, maybe after reading this article, you’ll watch it with new eyes.</p><oktyoutubecomponent url="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AmOMlZVWjr0"></oktyoutubecomponent>

It all started with a brief: create a video that will kick off the new essence of OKTAGON, called Face Your Fear. The “Hero” spot was premiered in front of a packed Eden stadium during OKTAGON 72. The creative group OPA is behind its creation. How did this project come to life.

HOW THE "FACE YOUR FEAR: HERO" VIDEO CAME TO BE AND WHAT INSPIRED THE CREATORS?

<p>The main event of the evening at Prague's Štvanice will feature women. Popular Slovakian fighter Lucia Szabová will challenge the current bantamweight champion Cecilia Bolander. Szabová has remained undefeated in MMA, boasting a 9-0 record. Bolander, who recently defeated Lucie Pudilová, certainly does not intend to give up her belt.</p><oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/6d22c554-ab44-475c-95de-8d59b496030c/cs.1752585167212.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/4ab32bc6-db26-41a0-8656-c5a8ab21b7e5/cs.1752585174161.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>CHAMPION FROM A COUNTRY WHERE MMA IS ILLEGAL</h2><p>Talented <strong>Cecilia Bolander</strong> became the champion of OKTAGON after only <strong>five professional MMA fights!</strong> Many predict a bright future for the Norwegian fighter. As an amateur, she has a 7-1 record and holds a European IMMAF title. All of her seven victories came by submission, six of them in the first round and <strong>six by armbar!</strong> She successfully used this same technique in her first two professional fights as well. To become the OKTAGON champion, she was helped a bit by luck— the original opponent for<strong> Pudilová </strong>was supposed to be Szabová, but Szabová got injured just before the fight, allowing Bolander to step in as a replacement. She had previously fought Pudilová just months before in September, where she narrowly lost by decision. But at O2 Arena at the end of the year, she entered the cage determined to rectify her previous loss.</p><p>Once again, the fight was very close, and the judges had a tough task, but ultimately they awarded the victory to Cecilia, making her the new <strong>bantamweight champion of OKTAGON.</strong> This all happened despite the fact that <strong>MMA is illegal in her home country.</strong> Norway does not recognize MMA as a legitimate professional sport, although there is no such issue with boxing. Fighters are allowed to train in Norway, but no MMA fights can be held. This backward policy forces athletes like Bolander to go abroad. This is one of the reasons she <strong>aims to become a world champion</strong>—perhaps then the politicians in Norway will take MMA seriously.</p><oktfightcomponent fightid="1203"></oktfightcomponent><h2>LUCIA SZABOVÁ: THE SILENT KILLER IN PEAK FORM</h2><p><strong>Lucia Szabová</strong> has long been one of the best female fighters in OKTAGON. Her <strong>9-0 record in professional MMA</strong> shows just how dominant a fighter she truly is. According to the respected Fightmatrix website, Szabová currently <strong>ranks #22 in the world bantamweight rankings</strong>, which is a huge achievement! For comparison, current champion Bolander is ranked #67. This is likely why Lucia enters the fight as the clear favorite.</p><p>Her nickname, <strong>"Silent Killer,"</strong> perfectly captures two sides of Lucia Szabová. On one side, she is a quiet, friendly 26-year-old mother who always smiles. On the other, she is an unstoppable force in the cage, finishing most of her fights before the limit and collecting victory after victory. Many fans remember her from the 4th season of OKTAGON: Challenge, which Szabová won. However, she paused her career for a while. In September 2022, she gave birth to her son Dragan, and spent the next two years primarily in the role of a mother. In 2023, she did fight, but only under Underground rules. Her MMA comeback came a year later,<strong> 32 months after her last fight.</strong> Some doubted Lucia’s return, and she admitted that she was nervous about stepping back into the cage. But everything went in her favor. She defeated Polish fighter <strong>Gumienna </strong>by submission in the third round, marking a victorious return to the cage.</p><p>Now, she’s finally <strong>aiming for the OKTAGON title</strong>, the belt that has eluded her for so long. She has the chance to prove her qualities and become the new bantamweight queen. Slovakia has no champions in OKTAGON, and the entire nation is placing its hopes on its silent warrior. Will it be enough to defeat the current champion? Will Lucia earn her tenth win in a row, or will she suffer her first loss?</p><p><strong>We will find out all of this on August 9th at Prague’s Štvanice! Don’t miss the unique atmosphere of the most beautiful tournament of the year. An outdoor gala on a stadium that has witnessed many memorable moments. Two title fights, quarterfinals of Tipsport Gamechanger, and more fights that promise great action. Will you be there with us?</strong></p><okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>

The main event of the evening at Prague's Štvanice will feature women. Popular Slovakian fighter Lucia Szabová will challenge the current bantamweight champion Cecilia Bolander. Szabová has remained undefeated in MMA, boasting a 9-0 record.

FIGHTER’S STORY: UNDEFEATED SZABOVÁ CHALLENGES CHAMPION CECILIA BOLANDER

<p>The longest arms in OKTAGON, a generational talent, the biggest young hope of Czech MMA. All these descriptions fit one of the most popular fighters in OKTAGON, Matěj "Money" Peňáz. In less than a month, he'll face Piotr Wawrzyniak in the quarterfinals of the million-dollar Tipsport Gamechanger pyramid at Štvanice. In the meantime, here are the key moments from his career.</p><oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/cf62c5a3-5613-4ab8-80e5-8d0331b6427e/cs.1752239720814.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/33279937-d0de-425d-97bb-12f3967a499b/cs.1752239738101.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>KICKBOXING AND EARLY DAYS IN COMBAT SPORTS</h2><p>Many fans know that Matěj started his journey in combat sports with kickboxing and Thai boxing. A native of Vysočina, who spent a significant part of his life in Brno (where he studied both high school and university), won his first major trophy in 2013 by <strong>winning the WAKO World Cup</strong>. He went on to achieve more significant victories and, over three years, made his way into the prestigious Glory organization, which is essentially the highest level for strikers – fighters such as Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira have competed there. Interestingly, Jiří Procházka was already in his corner at that time. Matěj fought four times in Glory, winning three of them, and in 2019, he bid farewell to kickboxing<strong> with a record of 23-3.</strong></p><h2>FIRST MOMENTS IN THE CAGE: OKTAGON UNDERGROUND</h2><p>Then came the COVID pandemic, and it seemed like fights would be on hold for a while. That’s when the unique project <strong>OKTAGON: Underground</strong> was born – a special tournament with modified MMA rules to make it more suitable for strikers. For one of the best strikers of the time, it was a lucrative opportunity, and he showed his skills in the cage. He breezed through the tournament, winning two of his three fights by <strong>first-round finishes</strong>, and was set to face the aggressive Slovak-Serb chaos, <strong>Vlasto "El Chapo" Čepo</strong>, in the final. Fans couldn’t wait for this showdown, with Matěj’s surgical precision against Čepo’s aggressive style. However, Matěj got injured, and the match didn’t take place. Thus, the Underground chapter ended, and the Peňáz vs. Čepo chapter remains unresolved to this day.</p><h2>UNDEFEATED IN OKTAGON</h2><p>After his fantastic performances in Underground, Matěj's debut in professional MMA was just a matter of time. OKTAGON didn’t hesitate and offered the elite striker a contract, which led to his first fight in 2020. His debut in the yellow and black cage took place at <strong>OKTAGON 18</strong> against the dangerous fighter, who enjoys head-on brawls, <strong>Patrik Jevický</strong>. Matěj, however, showed that he was on another level and sent Jevický to the ground in the first round. His next three fights ended the same way – first-round finishes – and <strong>Peňáz started making waves</strong> in the middleweight division. After his sixth OKTAGON fight, he received a lucrative offer to fight in Dana White’s Contender Series, a pre-UFC stage. Although Matěj had relatively little experience at the time, he decided to accept the challenge. However, his fight against American <strong>Sedrique Dumas</strong> didn’t go well. He was caught in a guillotine and had to tap out after only 41 seconds. Many experts agree that it was one of those “one in ten” fights, and Matěj certainly had all the qualities to defeat Dumas.</p><p>Nevertheless, this loss led to Matěj’s return to OKTAGON and the continuation of his dominance. His next three fights, all ending before the limit, led him to a title opportunity. Last year, “Money” was set to face <strong>"Inspector" Patrik Kincl</strong> at Eden’s stadium in what was highly anticipated, and it was supposed to be the toughest test of his career. However, an injury occurred – Matěj fractured his elbow during training, and it was clear that the recovery would take a longer break.</p><h2>A NEW CHALLENGE: TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER</h2><p>After a year-long break, the wait was worth it. The announcement of the next season of the <strong>million-dollar Tipsport Gamechanger pyramid</strong>, this time in the middleweight division, brought a new challenge. The winner of the MMA Champions League will walk away with a prize of 300,000 euros! This tournament always attracts world-class fighters, and homegrown talents are given a chance to shine. And when it comes to grand prizes, you can count on “Money” Peňáz. In the first round of the pyramid, he faced the experienced UFC veteran <strong>David Zawada</strong>. Fighting against beloved German fighters in Germany is never easy, but Matěj left no doubt about who was among the favorites to win the Tipsport Gamechanger. He dissected Zawada in the stand-up and finished the fight with a combination of knee strikes and punches just before the first round ended.</p><p>Now, however, the biggest challenge awaits the Brno sniper – a quarterfinal bout with the fearless Polish powerhouse <strong>Piotr Wawrzyniak</strong>. In his last fight, Piotr defeated the tough Marek Mazúch by TKO after withstanding his heavy shots and gradually taking control of the fight. This will be a real test for Matěj. Can he again demolish his opponent in the stand-up? Or will he be drawn into Wawrzyniak's game in the clinch and on the ground? We’ll find out at <strong>OKTAGON 74. Prague’s Štvanice</strong> will come alive once again.</p><p><strong>Not only can you look forward to Peňáz, but also all four quarterfinals of the Tipsport Gamechanger on August 9th. Prague’s Štvanice, an outdoor tournament, drinks, and summer vibes – don’t miss the unique atmosphere of the most beautiful tournament of the year. Last tickets are still available. And if you can’t be there, buy our PPV so you don’t miss any of the action!</strong></p><okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>

The longest arms in OKTAGON, a generational talent, the biggest young hope of Czech MMA. All these descriptions fit one of the most popular fighters in OKTAGON, Matěj "Money" Peňáz. In less than a month, he'll face Piotr Wawrzyniak in the quarterfinals of the million-dollar Tipsport Gamechanger.

FIGHTER'S STORY: MATĚJ “MONEY” PEŇÁZ FACES HIS BIGGEST CHALLENGE YET

<p>The year 2025 has already brought many exceptional moments. We returned to Eden to witness the resolution of the rivalry between two legends – Karlos Vémola and Attila Végh. Across eight events, we entertained more than 100,000 live fans and millions of viewers at home – a significant turning point came with our partnership with the German TV station RTL. It has also been a half-year of new champions, debuts, and unforgettable fights. Let's go over the key events of the first half of the year in a nutshell.</p><oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/bd53823e-d1e9-4748-83e6-ca1ad8dfeccb/cs.1751907434979.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/64595ffd-4794-4c52-97a9-fabf4ecf5f3c/cs.1751907444552.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>NEWLY CROWNED CHAMPIONS</h2><p>So far, 2025 has brought three new champions. The most recent champion crowned is <strong>Zhalgas Zhumagulov</strong>. The likable Kazakh won a dominant decision over the previous champion<strong> Beno Adamia</strong> in Hamburg. <strong>Formerly ranked #8 in the world</strong>, Zhumagulov is now at the top of OKTAGON and we can’t wait to see what he does next. At Eden, two titles were awarded, but neither was purely a championship title. <strong>Karlos Vémola</strong> received the <strong>Infinity belt</strong> for his win in the trilogy – a belt symbolizing his eternal legacy as a winner. <strong>Makhmud Muradov</strong> defeated <strong>Patrik Kincl</strong> in a highly charged duel, but this fight was “only” for the interim title. The third returning champion was <strong>Will Fleury</strong>. After claiming the light heavyweight title, he decided to go for the double and faced dangerous Bulgarian heavyweight <strong>Lazar Todev</strong>. After a closely contested battle, the decision went to the judges, who saw Fleury win, especially in the first rounds. The Irishman became the fourth double champion in OKTAGON history.</p><h2>THE NEXT SEASON OF THE MILLION-EURO TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER</h2><p>This year’s season of the million-euro<strong> Tipsport Gamechanger </strong>pyramid, now in the middleweight division, attracted hungry wolves from all over the world, as well as local fighters eager to measure themselves against the European elite. One of these fighters is <strong>Dominik Humburger</strong>. The Liberec soldier made his debut in Karlovy Vary against the experienced <strong>Krištofič</strong>, whom he defeated via TKO in the second round. Now he faces another tough test – on Štvanice, he will meet South African fighter<strong> Mark Hulme</strong>, another newcomer to the organization. <strong>Krzysztof Jotko</strong> will also want to show his experience and skills again. In the first round of the pyramid, he eliminated welterweight champion Ion Surdu, and now he faces the steel fists of <strong>“El Chapo” Vlasto Čepo</strong>. Also joining the battle for the 300,000-euro prize is the undefeated Turkish middleweight champion and one of Germany’s biggest MMA stars, <strong>Kerim Engizek</strong>. His next opponent will be the dangerous English veteran Mick Stanton, who easily dispatched the beloved <strong>Miloš Petrášek </strong>in the first round. The final quarterfinal match on Štvanice will be a clash between Czech fan favorite, undefeated in OKTAGON,<strong> Matěj Peňáz</strong>, and Polish warrior <strong>Piotr Wawrzyniak</strong>. Eight fighters, four matches, and the chance to advance to the semifinals of Europe’s biggest MMA tournament. All of this will happen next month – <strong>OKTAGON 74 and the unique atmosphere of the most beautiful event of the year</strong> on Prague’s Štvanice Island. This island has a magic that you won’t find anywhere else.</p><h2>EDEN AND THE END OF AN ERA</h2><p>We cannot look back at the first half of 2025 without mentioning <strong>OKTAGON 72</strong>. It was the biggest event of the year. We returned to <strong>Eden</strong> after a year to witness the final resolution of the greatest Czech-Slovak rivalry of recent years. But Eden wasn’t just about the third battle between two giants. The outdoor event offered an unforgettable show – performances by <strong>Calin and Rychlí kluci during the Progresus halftime show</strong>, a heated battle for the interim middleweight title, MMA of the highest European level, and much more. The conclusion of the evening with the closely contested five-round battle between two legends of the Czech Republic and Slovakia was just the cherry on top.</p><h2>EIGHT SOLD-OUT EVENTS AND NEW PARTNERSHIPS</h2><p>In the first six months of 2025, we managed to sell out eight events – <strong>five in Germany and three in the Czech Republic</strong>. The OKTAGON circus visited <strong>Dortmund, Hamburg, Třinec, Düsseldorf</strong>, and in a certain sense also <strong>Karlovy Vary</strong> for the first time. Over 100,000 live fans attended the events! Despite all the problems and complications, we delivered entertainment to millions of people worldwide. A part of this success was our new partnership with the <strong>German TV channel RTL</strong>, which has helped us grow faster than ever in Germany. But it’s not the only addition – among our new partners is also Calin’s brand of non-alcoholic drinks, <strong>PopStar Tea</strong>, and at Eden, we introduced the first signs of cooperation with the <strong>Zubr brewery.</strong></p><p><strong>New champions, unexpected stories, record attendance, and expansion show that European MMA is living its golden age – and OKTAGON is at the forefront of it. The biggest is yet to come. Be there with us on August 9 at Štvanice – the legendary island where great stories are written. Get your access to </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://OKTAGON.TV"><strong>OKTAGON.TV</strong></a><strong> and experience the most beautiful tournament of the year with PPV. This show you cannot miss!</strong></p><okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>

The year 2025 has already brought many exceptional moments. We returned to Eden to witness the resolution of the rivalry between two legends – Karlos Vémola and Attila Végh. Across eight events, we entertained more than 100,000 live fans..

HALF A YEAR GONE BY. WHAT DID THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2025 BRING?

<p>Robo Pukač has experienced a career reboot in the last year like something out of a Hollywood movie. His first fight with Christian Jungwirth was a low point, where he decided to voluntarily forfeit the match after the second round, without major health issues. This led to a wave of disappointed fans, a gym change, and a new beginning that took the “Prince of Bratislava” to the top of the welterweight division, facing some of the biggest stars in the organization.</p><oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/5d35c23b-bc8b-4a86-ab8d-b46907ca86d3/cs.1751644069417.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/0548c79a-a6ef-4e49-ab5f-9934c75ae65f/cs.1751644138849.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>A CHILD FROM THE BLOCK: FOOTBALL AND TROUBLES</h2><p>Like many other fighters, Robo’s childhood was far from easy. He grew up in a housing estate in <strong>Petržalka</strong>, raised only by his mother. He didn’t get to know his father for a long time, and throughout his childhood, his father wasn’t really a part of his life, so Robo lacked a male role model, which he had to seek elsewhere. Like many teenagers, he got into trouble during this time, but he was never the type to love conflict. He <strong>played football</strong> and made it to the "B" team of FC Artmedia Petržalka, whose "A" team played in the Champions League at the time. A serious knee injury ended his football career, and it was time to redirect his energy elsewhere. When he first came to the <strong>OFA gym</strong>, he struggled with being overweight, but under the guidance of legendary <strong>Ilja Škondrič</strong>, he quickly got in shape and started fighting.</p><h2>BEGINNING OF THE CAREER AND A THREE-YEAR PAUSE</h2><p>Robo started his professional career a month before his 18th birthday, <strong>in April 2010.</strong> His debut was successful, and after 17 fights, he had a promising record of 12-4-1. But then came the turning point. In 2015, he accepted a fight against the more experienced <strong>Patrik Kincl</strong>. The fight ended after three rounds with a close decision in favor of the Czech fighter. But besides the unpleasant loss, Robo also <strong>suffered injuries</strong> – a fractured cheekbone and a complicated collarbone fracture <strong>sidelined the young Slovak for three years</strong>, and it was unclear whether he would even return.</p><h2>BACK TO THE CAGE: DEBUT IN OKTAGON</h2><p>Before returning to the cage as a fighter, Pukač was invited to the first <strong>OKTAGON Challenge</strong>, where he took on the role of coach for the Slovak team alongside his coach Ilja Škondrič. That was in 2016, and MMA was slowly becoming more recognized. Few knew, however, how much the sport would grow in the following years. The coaching stint was successful for Robo, with their protege, Gábor Boráros, winning the very first OKTAGON Challenge. The first tournaments followed, growing in size and popularity. Robo's first fight in the newly growing organization came in <strong>2018 at OKTAGON 10</strong>. A successful return to the cage reignited Robo’s desire to fight, and since then, he’s been with OKTAGON ever since.</p><h2>A CAREER TURNAROUND: THE FIRST FIGHT WITH JUNGWIRTH AND GYM CHANGE</h2><p>Before his first fight with <strong>Christian Jungwirth</strong>, things weren’t going well for Robo. He had only won one of his last five fights, and it was clear that this match could be crucial for his career. But what happened was truly unexpected. The Slovak star quit the fight halfway through! It was the culmination of long-standing frustration and dissatisfaction with his team. Instead of securing a much-needed victory, he brought shame upon himself in front of his fans, who were disappointed in his behavior. He hit rock bottom in his career and was determined to bounce back. <strong>He was resolute to regain his honor.</strong> Immediately after the fight, he decided to change gyms and with it, his mental and psychological approach. He bid farewell to his old self, and we witnessed <strong>Robo Pukač version 2.0.</strong></p><h2>IT'S ALL IN THE HEAD – THE ROAD TO THE TOP</h2><p>When Robo returned to the yellow-black cage later that year, expectations were low. His fanbase had diminished due to his fight withdrawal, and he needed to win them back. He handled his fight with <strong>Tomáš Bolo</strong> well and ignited new hope that he could still make an impact in the welterweight division. A rematch with the <strong>German Celt</strong> didn’t take long to materialize, and although he lost by a decision from the judges, he showed that the heart of a fighter was still within him, and he would fight every challenge. After two more victories, the opportunity of a lifetime came – a clash with OKTAGON's fan favorite and former champion, <strong>David Kozma</strong>. Before the event in <strong>Třinec</strong>, hardly anyone gave Pukač a chance. It was generally expected that David would win by a significant margin, but the opposite happened. On Kozma's home turf in Třinec, Pukač silenced the packed hall of “Pink Panther” fans by <strong>knocking him out with a hard KO</strong> in the first round! History was rewritten – Robo Pukač was back and stronger than ever! This victory alone moved him an incredible 250 places up in the world rankings on Fightmatrix. But Robo didn’t stop there, and he set his sights on the “King of Germany” <strong>Christian Eckerlin</strong>. And how did it turn out? We saw it in <strong>Hamburg</strong>. With calmness and maximum focus, Robo timed his winning combination in the third round and silenced the fans once again by defeating one of Germany’s biggest MMA stars.</p><h2>THE STORY DOESN’T END – REVENGE IS LOOMING!</h2><p>Pukač’s “miraculous” story isn’t over yet. He has fought his way to the top of the welterweight division, where he now occupies the <strong>#3 spot in the rankings</strong>. But more than the championship belt, he is interested in <strong>unfinished business</strong>. During the post-fight interview, he called out his former conqueror, <strong>Patrik Kincl</strong>, to avenge the <strong>10-year-old loss that almost ended his MMA career</strong>. He pointed at Patrik Kincl. The rival he wants to settle scores with. While Robo is now riding a wave of star success, Patrik has two title losses on his record. The internet is already buzzing between the two fighters. Will Robo get his revenge?</p><p><strong>From the streets of Petržalka to the elite of European MMA – Robert Pukač’s story is one of fall, willpower, and rebirth. He has shown that it doesn’t matter how many times you fall, but how many times you get up. And now, the “Prince of Bratislava” stands on the brink of another challenge. Until then, you can watch more OKTAGON stars on August 9th at the most beautiful tournament of the year – under the open sky at Prague’s Štvanice Island!</strong></p><okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>

Robo Pukač has experienced a career reboot in the last year like something out of a Hollywood movie. His first fight with Christian Jungwirth was a low point, where he decided to voluntarily forfeit the match after the second round, without major health issues.

THE JOURNEY OF ROBERT PUKAČ: FROM PETRŽALKA TO THE TOP OF OKTAGON

<p>The debut of OKTAGON 73 in Hamburg brought world-class MMA. The event at Barclays Arena ended with a shock for all the home fans when Robert Pukač defeated Christian Eckerlin in the main event. But that wasn’t the only surprise of the night. Let's look back at the Hamburg card and highlight the most significant moments.</p><oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/ec8ae2e1-856c-4172-9631-da5f66540761/cs.1751486630106.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/6e079ab6-d331-46ec-baa8-3ac7d506cc1b/cs.1751486644551.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>STORM IN THE WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION – WHO WILL REMAIN STANDING?</h2><p>In recent months, the welterweight division in OKTAGON has seen several shocks. First, the current champion<strong> Ion Surdu</strong> decided to compete in the million-dollar pyramid <strong>Tipsport Gamechanger</strong> in the middleweight division. However, he didn’t succeed, and now the question arises whether he will defend his welterweight title or move up a weight class.</p><p>The next big moment came in Karlovy Vary, where <strong>Andrej Kalašnik</strong> knocked out OKTAGON veteran <strong>Máté Kertész</strong> in devastating fashion. This not only placed him at #5 in the rankings but also put him in the discussion as a potential title challenger.</p><p>Then came OKTAGON 72 in Eden, and a fight at the very top of the division – <strong>Rony Paradeiser</strong> vs. <strong>Bojan Veličković</strong>. Until then, the number one in the division, Veličković, fell to the rising Slovak talent Rony, who became the new #1 in the weight class. He essentially earned a title shot, but there’s a complication – Ion Surdu is his training partner and friend. It’s unclear whether they would be willing to face each other.</p><p>In Hamburg, two new names significantly impacted the welterweight scene – <strong>Robert Pukač</strong> and<strong> Kaik Brito</strong>. Pukač is experiencing an incredible career restart, and his recent victory at OKTAGON 73 will likely move him to #3 in the welterweight rankings, where Eckerlin used to be. After the fight, Pukač called out former champion Patrik Kincl. Brito faced the extremely experienced and dangerous <strong>Joilton Lutterbach</strong> in Barclays Arena. But for Brito, it looked like a walk in the park – he finished his opponent swiftly in the first round and set his sights on a rematch against champion Ion Surdu. And let's not forget UFC veteran <strong>Jessin Ayari</strong>, who defied all expectations by scoring a big win over <strong>Niklas Stolze</strong>, who had been ranked #6.</p><p><strong>One title and many hungry challengers</strong>. The welterweight division is now in turmoil, and this means only one thing – more exciting battles are ahead, and a lot is at stake!</p><h2>MOVES IN THE WORLD RANKINGS</h2><p>As usual, we bring you an overview of the most interesting moves in the world rankings according to Fightmatrix after OKTAGON 73. Currently, the second-highest ranked male fighter in OKTAGON is <strong>Zhalgas Zhumagulov</strong>, who moved up to #36 in the flyweight world rankings after his victory over <strong>Beno Adamia</strong>. Just outside the top 50 in the world is Danish <strong>"Shark" Jonas Magard</strong>, who now holds the #53 spot in the bantamweight rankings. <strong>Richie Smullen</strong> (#69 in featherweight) and <strong>Kaik Brito</strong> (#93 in welterweight) are also in the world top 100.</p><p>An incredible progression has been made recently by <strong>Robo Pukač</strong> – his victory over David Kozma moved him up an incredible 250 spots to #158 in the rankings. His spectacular win in Hamburg helped him climb almost 40 more spots, bringing him close to the world top 100 at an impressive #116. Heavyweight <strong>Kasim Aras</strong> also improved his position by 25 spots, now ranking #111 in the world.</p><h2>ONE MONTH OF WAITING AND THEN A RETURN TO ŠTVANICE!</h2><p>Now we face a longer pause. The entire month of July will be without an OKTAGON event, but don’t worry, we’re preparing such bombs for you in August that you can start getting excited right now. <strong>OKTAGON 74 will return to the legendary Štvanice</strong> <strong>Island</strong>! A place that has already seen so many epic moments deserves at least one more stop. And OKTAGON 74 will be a stop you won’t forget! Four fights in the <strong>million-dollar Tipsport Gamechanger pyramid</strong>. All eight quarterfinalists will be introduced, including the beloved<strong> Matěj Peňáz, Mick Stanton</strong>, and <strong>Kerim Engizek</strong>. The main event will feature a women’s title fight between the undefeated <strong>Lucie Szabová</strong> and the current champion <strong>Cecilie Bolander</strong> – who will be crowned the queen of OKTAGON? After a long absence, the popular "<strong>CHIMP" Jakub Tichota</strong> and the "bad boy" from Brno, <strong>Radek Roušal</strong>, will also return. You definitely don’t want to miss this one!</p><p><strong>OKTAGON 73 celebrated great success in Hamburg’s Barclays Arena, despite the disappointment of the home fans after Christian Eckerlin’s loss. But now we’re heading back to the Czech Republic, for the most beautiful event of the year! Prague’s Štvanice Island will come alive again and shake under the grand show that OKTAGON 74 will offer. You still have a chance to be there live! There are only a few tickets left, so don’t miss it. August 9, 2025, at 18:00 at the Štvanice Stadium.</strong></p><okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>

The debut of OKTAGON 73 in Hamburg brought world-class MMA. The event at Barclays Arena ended with a shock for all the home fans when Robert Pukač defeated Christian Eckerlin in the main event. But that wasn’t the only surprise of the night.

REFLECTION ON OKTAGON 73: DRAMA IN THE WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION

<p>The debut in Hamburg with OKTAGON 73 offered a spectacular show. Eight finishes, thrilling bouts, and above all, strong stories and emotions. We also witnessed a few decisions by the judges – let’s go over how the judges saw each of the fights.</p><oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/22999d31-a7f2-4302-adc3-f936aa176e1f/cs.1751291481312.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/cdd191d0-f278-4daa-994c-1f176110bddd/cs.1751291484046.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>CHRISTIAN ECKERLIN vs. ROBERT PUKAČ</h2><p>One of the surprises of the night – Robo Pukač defeated Eckerlin via TKO in the third round. The first round still went in favor of the German superstar. However, gradually, Pukač took control of the fight and deservedly won.</p><oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1166" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>ADAM PAŁASZ vs. KASIM ARAS</h2><p>This fight ended as quickly as it started. Kasim landed a perfect "cap" right on the chin of the Polish fighter, and the fight was essentially decided.</p><oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1190" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>KAIK BRITO vs. JOILTON LUTTERBACH</h2><p>Another masterclass performance by Brito, who claimed a TKO victory in the first round. This extended his record to 18 wins with a 100% finish rate.</p><oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1183" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>NIKLAS STOLZE vs. JESSIN AYARI</h2><p>Even the fight between two UFC veterans didn’t go the distance. Ayari had a great start to the second round and after three minutes, he managed to get Stolze’s back, where he quickly locked in an RNC, securing his ninth submission victory.</p><oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1098" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>JONAS MAGARD vs. FARBOD NEZHAD</h2><p>The only fight on the main card that went to the judges’ scorecards. Magard clearly won all three rounds and once again proved how far ahead he is compared to the rest of the division.</p><oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1189" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>WAHED NAZHAND vs. FARIDUN SHOKHNAZAROV</h2><p>One of the fights of the evening and an incredible victory by Wahed Nazhand, who also took home the Tipsport bonus for performance of the night. After breaking his jaw, he managed to win by forcing his opponent to tap with a Kimura. Wahed lived up to his nickname "Stone Eater" by enduring an unimaginable challenge and winning despite the injury.</p><oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1167" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>BENO ADAMIA vs. ZHALGAS ZHUMAGULOV</h2><p>An evenly matched title fight between elite flyweight fighters ended relatively clearly by a 4-1 decision in favor of the Kazakh fighter. Zhalgas was more active in the fight, and although Adamia spent more time in the center of the cage and pushed his opponent against the fence, he didn’t add enough strikes to his pressure. Zhumagulov moved excellently and wasn’t afraid to throw longer combinations, which ultimately won him the fight.</p><oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1174" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>MAREK BARTL vs. DANIEL MAKIN</h2><p>After his last loss, Marek Bartl secured another victory on German soil. He was clearly the better fighter in the contest, though he was thrown to the ground in the second round without much resistance. However, he used his extensive experience to lock in a Kimura on Makin, earning another submission victory.</p><oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1187" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>VOJTO BARBORÍK vs. RICHIE SMULLEN</h2><p>Vojto Barborík started the fight fantastically, and for a moment, it seemed like he might finish Richie in the first round. However, the Irish veteran showed why he will be a new threat in the division. He survived Barborík's hard strikes like it was nothing, and in the second round, he unleashed a hellish pace, earning a TKO victory.</p><oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1178" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>TOMÁŠ CIGÁNIK vs. AHMAD HALIMSON</h2><p>After two rounds, the scorecards were tied 1-1, and it was clear that the final round would decide the winner. Both fighters gave it their all, but Cigánik was the more precise in his combinations and caused his opponent more "damage," ultimately winning the fight.</p><oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1192" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>ALTIN ZENUNI vs. TIBOR BALÁZS</h2><p>A one-sided affair in favor of the Albanian fighter, a fantastic professional debut for Zenuni. Tibor didn’t even get into the fight – after just two minutes, Zenuni got to his back and locked in an RNC, which Balázs couldn’t escape from.</p><oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1199" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><p><strong>Hamburg experienced an incredible evening full of emotions. OKTAGON 73 offered eight finishes before the limit, and fans definitely got their money's worth. The next stop? Štvanice! OKTAGON 74 will take place on August 9th at the legendary Prague island. There are only a few tickets left, so don’t wait and secure your spot at the most beautiful event of the year!</strong></p><okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>

The debut in Hamburg with OKTAGON 73 offered a spectacular show. Eight finishes, thrilling bouts, and above all, strong stories and emotions. We also witnessed a few decisions by the judges – let’s go over how the judges saw each of the fights.

OKTAGON 73 THROUGH THE EYES OF THE JUDGES: WAS THE TITLE FIGHT REALLY CLOSE?

<p>The debut of OKTAGON in Hamburg delivered a show full of excitement, emotions, and surprising twists, with several finishes. The 73rd edition of the tournament showed once again why OKTAGON is unique in Europe. Let’s go over the results and highlights from this historic event in Germany’s second-largest city.</p><oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/ea8cd2e2-3b2d-4a28-a4c4-faac7b5de2ef/cs.1751149535816.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/28902a6b-89c7-415c-9ca6-cdf059af20f8/cs.1751149544332.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>CHRISTIAN ECKERLIN vs. ROBERT PUKAČ</h2><p>Hamburg and all of Germany stood behind their king, but unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to stop the precise performance of "Prince of Bratislava" Robo Pukač. Pukač entered the fight cautiously but gradually increased the intensity, landing more strikes, and in the third round, Eckerlin ran out of steam. In the biggest fight of his career, Pukač won by TKO after a flawless performance. Not many expected such a result, and Pukač deserves immense praise for his performance, which confirmed his current fantastic form. Eckerlin showed royal generosity in the post-fight interview when he mentioned that he would give Pukač back the 50 % of his purse, that was supposed to be Eckerlin's, after Robo missed his weight. A beautiful gesture of respect in combat sports to cap off an incredible evening.</p><oktfightcomponent fightid="1166"></oktfightcomponent><h2>ADAM PAŁASZ vs. KASIM ARAS</h2><p>Wow! Karim Aras provided the shock of the night by demolishing his Polish opponent in the first round. A fantastic demonstration of how unpredictable MMA can be, where a smaller fighter can land a devastating bomb. After a perfectly timed hook to the chin, Aras landed a few strikes on the ground, and Palasz struggled to get back up. A great debut for the Turkish fighter!</p><oktfightcomponent fightid="1190"></oktfightcomponent><h2>KAIK BRITO vs. JOILTON LUTTERBACH</h2><p>World-class MMA, two Brazilians, and a clash at the top of the welterweight division – all in a single fight: Brito vs. Lutterbach. Huge expectations for both fighters, but only one could leave as the winner. And that fighter was Kaik Brito! He added another incredible finish in the first round! After less than two minutes, he knocked Lutterbach down with a perfectly timed hook, followed by a precise knee and a few more strikes to end the fight via TKO. A better comeback would be hard to imagine. Who will Brito face next?</p><oktfightcomponent fightid="1183"></oktfightcomponent><h2>NIKLAS STOLZE vs. JESSIN AYARI</h2><p>A first-class display of technique, toughness, and experience from two UFC veterans. The first round was slower, but the second round was much more intense. Ayari found the perfect distance for extended strikes, which Stolze couldn’t handle. After a hard knee in the clinch, Ayari managed to take Stolze to the ground, improve his position, and lock in an RNC, forcing Stolze to tap. Another submission of the night and an important win for Jessin Ayari.</p><oktfightcomponent fightid="1172"></oktfightcomponent><h2>JONAS MAGARD vs. FARBOD NEZHAD</h2><p>A highly charged fight at the top of the bantamweight division was about who could impose their style. Former champion Magard wanted to fight primarily in striking, while Nezhad focused on controlling the clinch and attempting takedowns. The Danish fighter was well prepared for this, and in the first round, he opened Nezhad up unpleasantly. In the third round, there was a break due to an illegal low blow from Magard, but Farbod was able to continue. Despite that, "The Shark" from Denmark was better in nearly every aspect of the fight and after a dominant decision victory, he is now eyeing a title shot.</p><oktfightcomponent fightid="1189"></oktfightcomponent><h2>WAHED NAZHAND vs. FARIDUN SHOKHNAZAROV</h2><p>The main card kicked off in grand style! Shokhnazarov stepped into the fight on short notice, but you couldn’t tell from his performance. In the first round, he caught his opponent a few times with hard shots in boxing exchanges. The second round offered incredible action – first, Faridun dropped Nazhand with a perfectly timed rear hook to the chin. However, Nazhand miraculously survived, and with a display of last-ditch strength, he caught Faridun’s arm in a Kimura and forced him to tap within seconds. Nazhand won by submission in the second round after an unbelievable turnaround.</p><oktfightcomponent fightid="1167"></oktfightcomponent><h2>BENO ADAMIA vs. ZHALGAS ZHUMAGULOV</h2><p>The prelims finale featured a title fight, but after Adamia failed to make weight, only Zhumagulov fought for the title. The Kazakh fighter was more active from the start, landing more strikes and being more precise. Adamia relied on his counters, but they didn’t threaten Zhalgas. In the third round, the Georgian tried to step up his pace, but Zhalgas was still leading in strikes. Entering the championship rounds, the Kazakh had a comfortable 3-0 lead on the scorecards. In the fourth round, Zhalgas nearly secured a finish with a perfectly timed spinning strike that knocked Adamia down, but Adamia recovered quickly. The fifth round didn’t bring any major changes, and Zhalgas won a unanimous decision, becoming the new flyweight champion of OKTAGON.</p><oktfightcomponent fightid="1174"></oktfightcomponent><h2>MAREK BARTL vs. DANIEL MAKIN</h2><p>Bartl’s opponent change didn’t throw him off, and he entered the fight very motivated. Makin, however, wasn’t there to lose and showed his skills and heart. But it wasn’t enough against the “Czech Executioner.” In the second round, Bartl caught Makin with a hard hook that dropped him and opened up a nasty cut on the root of his nose. Although Bartl gave Makin a dominant position almost for free, he managed to lock in a Kimura and secured another submission victory.</p><oktfightcomponent fightid="1187"></oktfightcomponent><h2>VOJTO BARBORÍK vs. RICHIE SMULLEN</h2><p>Vojto Barborík’s return and the debut of Irish MMA star Richie Smullen in OKTAGON didn’t disappoint. Barborík started the fight with some beautiful boxing exchanges, but Richie was more successful at the end of the round. The start of the fight clearly took a toll on Barborík, and in the second round, he couldn’t do much, unable to answer Smullen’s tough ground-and-pound. One minute before the end of the second round, the Irishman won via TKO.</p><oktfightcomponent fightid="1178"></oktfightcomponent><h2>TOMÁŠ CIGÁNIK vs. AHMAD HALIMSON</h2><p>The second fight offered higher quality from both sides. Cigánik got his opponent to the ground early in the fight, but didn’t gain much from it. Halimson, on the other hand, landed some unorthodox knee strikes from the bottom. The second round brought more striking action, with Cigánik using his height advantage and nasty high kicks. However, Halimson kept threatening with unusual strikes, especially in the clinch. Both fighters entered the final round evenly matched and very tired. They showed heart and offered fans a great finish to the fight, with Cigánik being the more precise and claiming his fifth win in a row.</p><oktfightcomponent fightid="1192"></oktfightcomponent><h2>ALTIN ZENUNI vs. TIBOR BALÁZS</h2><p>Zenuni made his professional debut in Hamburg, and it certainly didn’t look like it. Within seconds, he took the fight to the ground and improved his position until he got to Balázs’s back and locked in an RNC. Less than two minutes later, Zenuni claimed a dominant victory. A fantastic start to the evening, a great professional debut for the likable Albanian, and a cold shower for Balázs, who never got into the fight.</p><oktfightcomponent fightid="1199"></oktfightcomponent><p></p><p><strong>OKTAGON 73 in Hamburg delivered explosive action, a new champion, and unforgettable moments. The program was packed with amazing fights, and the German audience enjoyed another exciting evening of MMA. Now all eyes are on the next chapter. Stay tuned for OKTAGON 74 at Štvanice!</strong></p><okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>