Dvě výhry v řadě, skvělé pracovní i osobní období, obrovský drive. Sympaťák Malach je jednou ze stálic československé MMA scény, a tak jsme se ho zeptali, co je u něj nového i na to, co plánuje ve sportu dál.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/371fff0a-2145-44de-95f1-722dd3400c71/cs.1733236458309.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/5697e323-c189-4809-bd75-5bd91a0d663f/cs.1733236464825.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent>Tvůj soupeř Aksu má všechny výhry před limitem. Jak se připravuješ na takového protivníka a kde vidíš jeho slabiny?Vidím hodně slabin, není to vůbec komplexní zápasník. Je jednostranný, pod standardem, na který jsem zvyklý z tréninků. Když jsem se naposledy připravoval na Geleziho, jako náhradníka, přišel mi stylisticky mnohem těžší – vysoký, dynamický, komplexnější. Nehledě na to, že přípravu na Aksu dělám vlastně už potřetí, protože se dvakrát zranil.Jedeš teď na vítězné vlně. Pomáhá to sebevědomí nebo čím více výher v řadě, tím větší tlak?S výhrami se určitě zápasí líp, víc si věříš. Nemáš na sobě stres z toho, že když prohraješ, tak to bude třeba třetí prohra v řadě. Ale já se vždy soustředím hlavně na momentální zápas, na ostatní nemyslím.Ani zpětně?Jasně, když se můžeš podívat na období, kdy jsi sbíral i 6 výher v řadě, tak je to super, víš, že všechno fungovalo a sedělo. V tom jsou nastřádané výhry skvělé – na druhou stranu, prohra tě nakopne. Do tréninku se vrátíš úplně jinak vyhladovělý. Obojí má něco do sebe!Trénuješ v Reinders MMA. Kdo je tam tvůj největší parťák?V Reinders mám tolik parťáků, že by to snad ani nešlo vyjmenovat. Je tam skvělá parta. Moji nejčastější sparring partneři jsou teď Matěj Kuzník a Peter Gabal. Máme tam širokou škálu lidí, ze které si můžu vybírat, ať už lehké váhy nebo sedmasedmdesátky.Jak se těšíš do Mnichova? Bojuješ radši na domácí půdě nebo venku?Já tomu říkám „Mise Německo”, zápasí se mi tam skvěle. Jedu tam jako naprostý profesionál – musím odjet od rodiny, soustředit se, udělat dobrý výkon. Nikoho tam nezajímá, jakou jsem měl přípravu nebo co jsem dělal předtím. Nejdůležitější je jen zápas. A tak si udělám svou práci a jedu zpátky. Německo mi fakt neskutečně sedí. Roli v tom hraje asi i to, že československým zápasníkům přeji co nejlepší kariéru, mám mezi nimi spousty kamarádů, takže proti Němcům a dalším zahraničním zápasníkům se mi bojuje mnohem lépe.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1064"></oktfightcomponent>Za sebou máš už 31 MMA zápasů, mnohonásobně víc zápasů v kickboxu… na které momenty své zápasnické kariéry vzpomínáš nejraději?Rád vzpomínám na období 2015, 2016, to byly pěkné roky. Ale když to srovnám s tím, kde je OKTAGON dnes, je to skoro až legrační, v jakých podmínkách se tehdy zápasilo.Co ses za tu dlouhou cestu naučil? Dělal bys něco jinak, s tím, co už o MMA víš dnes?Toho je moc. Ale bohužel nebo bohudík, jedna věc je jasná, teď už zápasnicky stárnu. Myslím, že mám před sebou ještě pár nejlepších let, ale kdybych ve dvaceti věděl věci, které vím teď, mohl jsem být úplně někde jinde. Ale asi se to tak brát nedá – kdybych neudělal chyby, nepřišel bych na to, nenaučil se to. Dnes trénuji daleko chytřeji, více driluji, nechodím se jen mlátit. Není to jen o sparingu, jsem daleko pečlivější ohledně všech věcí okolo MMA, mám to promyšlené. Jsou to detaily, které dají dohromady tu velkou skládačku, ale to jsem ve dvaceti nevěděl.Podnikáš, máš svou firmu – pomáhá ti, že máš i jiný svět mimo boj? Nebo bys ideálně dělal MMA na full time?Firma mi hodně pomáhá. Mým celoživotním cílem, snad už od dětství, bylo nikoho neposlouchat, nemít žádného šéfa. A díky mojí pracovitosti se to povedlo. Makám od rána do večera, pořád něco dělám, ale dělám na svém, všechno jde za mnou. Jsem s tím nesmírně spokojený. A samozřejmě, nemusím díky tomu hrotit ani MMA po finanční stránce, nenutí mě to do žádných zápasů kvůli penězům.Jsou to úplně odlišné světy nebo mají něco společného?Když dělám business, moji partneři jsou často z jiného odvětví, někdy ani neví, že dělám MMA. Ale když ví, pomáhá mi to. Mám ze sportu vybudované jméno a nechci si ho pokazit, udělat si ostudu. A tak firma i sport fungují takhle propojeně – dobré jméno máš jen jedno a žádné peníze nestojí za to, o něj přijít.Jak zvládáš tlak a očekávání fanoušků, když jdeš do zápasu jako favorit?Psychika je na celém zápasení nejdůležitější. Tlak naštěstí zvládám skvěle, vyhecuje mě, když v publiku vidím svoje fanoušky nebo rodinu, nakopne mě to. Já nejsem tréninkový typ, že bych nechal všechno v tělocvičně a vedl tam zbytečné války. Na tréninku mi to jde trochu hůř, než v zápase – což je rozhodně lepší, než kdyby to bylo naopak.Hrála hlava roli v tvé poslední prohře?Prohra nastala v zápase se Shemem Rockem, kde jsem měl hlavu nastavenou perfektně. Pak ale přišla kopačka na břicho, která mě rozhodila a škrcení. Ale to bylo o fyzické, sportovní stránce, ne o psychice – tu jsem měl ve všech posledních zápasech skvěle vychytanou.Jak to poznáš?Když jsem v kleci, vím, že je to přesně to místo, kde mám v tu chvíli být. Často si můžeš nalhávat, jak jsi připravený, ale pak tam vlezeš a je to jinak. I teď vím, že Aksu porazím. Ještě nevím jak, ale vím, že neprohraju.Jak konkrétně s psychikou pracuješ? Jsou na to nějaké postupy?Píšu si tréninkový deník, jehož součástí je to, jak jsem se připravoval, co jsem dělal, jak jsem se před zápasem i v něm cítil. Mám už na to takový mustr. Znovu – jsou to detaily, které tvoří celek. A samozřejmě pracuji i s vizualizacemi. V tuhle chvíli jsem psychiku vychytal na takový level, že si hlavu dokážu perfektně nastavit sám.Jak dlouho ti to trvalo?Takhle se mi to daří asi poslední dva roky.Tvoje přezdívka vychází z místa odkud pocházíš. Jak tě tohle prostředí ovlivňuje?Je to tak, přezdívka Král Severu vychází, samozřejmě kromě Game of Thrones, z mého města Liberce. Ale není to ani tak kvůli zápasení. Nechci se označovat za nejlepšího zápasníka na severu republiky. Liberec je můj domov, cítím, že si tam můžu dělat co chci, mám tam skvělé vazby a velkou základnu. Je to myšleno spíše lidsky.<oktinstagramcomponent url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DC_t5WUN9xB/?img_index=1"></oktinstagramcomponent>Jak vlastně vypadá tvůj běžný den? Máš vůbec čas vypnout?Jsem teď hladový po pracovním i sportovním úspěchů a mám velký drive. Musím skloubit rodinu, práci a sport a myslím, že se to daří. Když je o děti postaráno, odpočívám tak, že jedu do sauny nebo mám stretching, to je můj odpočinek, který je spjatý s tím, co jako sportovec musím dělat. Regenerace je nesmírně důležitá, jinak přijde zranění a veškerá dřina je k ničemu. Kromě sportovního odpočinku ale jedu nonstop, nezastavím se a mám to tak rád. Rád chodím spát s pocitem, že se v životě někam posouvám.Jak to s MMA vidíš do budoucna?Budoucnost je to, co mě teď žene kupředu. MMA se budu věnovat, dokud to půjde, dokud mi to zdraví dovolí a budu se cítit na vrcholu sil. Zatím žádné zpomalování, nepozoruji ani pomalejší reflexy nebo další věci, které přicházejí s věkem. Ale až to přijde a začne to pro mě být nebezpečné, tak se na to asi vykašlu. Snažím se ale o tělo správně starat a myslím, že to by mi mohlo pár let aktivního zápasení přidat.A na závěr: co bys vzkázal svému soupeři?Jedinou věc: ať už se hlavně nezraní. Protože už by to bylo potřetí a na počtvrté už bych to neriskoval.MISE NĚMECKO JE TADY! JAK SI MALACH PORADÍ? SLEDUJ OKTAGON 64 UŽ 7. 12.!<okteventcomponent eventid="100"></okteventcomponent>

„Král Severu” Malach se chystá do Mnichova – v otevřeném rozhovoru promluvil o sportovním i osobním životě, ale i o plánech, které s MMA má. 

MALACH O SPORTU A BYZNYSU: PENÍZE NESTOJÍ ZA ZTRÁTU DOBRÉHO JMÉNA

The legendary Štvanice once again delivered an evening full of emotion, dramatic twists, and moments to be remembered for years. From the lightning-fast ending of the title fight to the evenly matched wars that only the judges could decide. Here’s how each fight looked to those holding the fighters’ fate when it came down to points.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/b4af8883-5c9b-4c13-97f7-7096dea336b2/cs.1754984424893.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/88353b82-2683-4b65-86b7-7f1d557a8730/cs.1754984430835.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>CECILIE BOLANDER&nbsp;vs.&nbsp;LUCIA SZABOVÁ</h2>The highly anticipated title clash ended quickly and unfortunately. Within seconds, the pair went to the ground, but Bolander injured her knee in the fall. Szabová seized the initiative, punished heavily on the ground, and the referee stopped the fight.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1203" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>KERIM ENGIZEK vs. MICK STANTON</h2>No need for the judges here. From the opening bell, Engizek controlled the pace, defended Stanton’s takedown, moved to a dominant position, and unleashed ground-and-pound. A flurry of clean shots forced the referee to stop it in the first round – TKO victory for the German champion and a ticket to the Tipsport Gamechanger semifinals.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1180" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>DOMINIK HUMBURGER vs. MARK HULME</h2>It didn’t go to the scorecards, but it was close and dramatic. Hulme dominated the first round, holding “Hambáč” down and hunting for a submission. Humburger weathered the storm, got back up, and turned the tide in round two, marching forward and dropping the favorite with an elbow. Referee stepped in – KO win for Humburger, who will face Engizek in the semifinals.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1204" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>KRZYSZTOF JOTKO vs. MAREK MAZÚCH</h2>If it had gone to points, the result would have been obvious – Jotko was in control throughout. Perfectly timed takedowns, heavy ground strikes, and zero chances for Mazúch to implement his game. The Polish veteran finished by TKO late in the second round, sparing the judges the math.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1225" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>PIOTR WAWRZYNIAK vs. HOJAT KHAJEVAND</h2>The only Gamechanger quarterfinal decided by the judges. Khajevand took round one with sharp striking, while round two went to Wawrzyniak, who also found success on the ground. The final round was close, but the judges saw a bit more work from the German fighter of Iranian descent. Hojat advances to face Jotko in the semifinals.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1240" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>RADEK ROUŠAL vs. ADRIAN HAMERSKI</h2>First round to Hamerski. In round two, the Pole slowed, Roušal unleashed combinations and those signature body shots that eventually broke his opponent. TKO win for “Ruchy” – no need for scorecards.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1207" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>DAVID ZAWADA vs. KAMIL ONISZCZUK</h2>The judges had to unravel this close contest. Oniszczuk defended takedowns well and used his height advantage, while Zawada pressed forward. As time went on, the Pole’s activity and accuracy increased. All three judges scored it for Oniszczuk in every round. He now serves as the alternate for the Gamechanger semifinals.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1218" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>DANIEL LIGOCKI vs. ANDRE LANGEN</h2>Scorecards stayed blank – Ligocki ended it in round one with two precise knees to the head. Langen went down and the referee waved it off. Third straight first-round win for the Třinec hurricane.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1242" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>VOJTĚCH KHOL vs. RAPHAEL FEDERICO</h2>Federico edged the first round with more activity in the stand-up, but Khol threatened with takedowns. In the second, the Czech took over – one judge even scored it 10–8. Khol sealed the deal in round three with a submission.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1241" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>MICHAELA HLAVÁČIKOVÁ vs. NIAMH KINEHAN</h2>The opening bout was the only women’s fight and the only one to go the distance. An even striking battle with both trading hard shots. Hlaváčiková started well, but Kinehan was more active late. The judges narrowly awarded her the victory.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1230" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent>Štvanice once again proved why it’s called the most beautiful event of the year – fast finishes, wars to the final bell, and powerful stories. Next stop? Hannover, September 13 in Zag Arena – don’t miss it!<okteventcomponent eventid="114"></okteventcomponent>

The legendary Štvanice once again delivered an evening full of emotion, dramatic twists, and moments to be remembered for years. From the lightning-fast ending of the title fight to the evenly matched wars that only the judges could decide. 

OKTAGON 74 THROUGH THE EYES OF THE JUDGES: ONLY THREE FIGHTS WENT TO THE SCORECARDS!

Štvanice delivered! The most beautiful event of the year brought action-packed fights under the open sky. Lucia Szabová became the new bantamweight champion, and Dominik Humburger upset favorite Hulme to advance to the Tipsport Gamechanger semifinals.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/a67f430b-5025-45e5-ab0b-768a69792dc8/cs.1754850660982.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/ff3e6797-fe2d-4632-80cc-3f7cc7b0ee46/cs.1754850639256.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>CECILIE BOLANDER vs. LUCIA SZABOVÁ</h2>The highly anticipated title bout between the undefeated Szabová and champion Bolander ended quickly. Early in the first round, Szabová took Bolander to the ground, but during the fall, Bolander dislocated her knee. It popped back in, but she couldn’t put weight on it. After a barrage of heavy ground-and-pound, the referee stepped in, and the “Silent Killer” became the new queen of the bantamweight division.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1203"></oktfightcomponent><h2>KERIM ENGIZEK vs. MICK STANTON</h2>Engizek showed why he’s been an undefeated champion for 11 years. He shut Stanton down completely, defended his takedown attempt, and moved into a dominant position. From there, he unleashed a barrage of strikes, opening Stanton up badly. A few more shots later, the fight was stopped—Engizek wins by TKO and moves into the Tipsport Gamechanger semifinals.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1180"></oktfightcomponent><h2>DOMINIK HUMBURGER vs. MARK HULME</h2>Coming in as a big underdog, Humburger proved once again he can’t be underestimated. He and Hulme delivered a war. In round one, Hulme controlled on the ground, hunting for submissions, but Humburger defended well and stood up. In round two, both fighters were fatigued, but the Czech soldier kept pressing forward and dropped Hulme with a brutal elbow. Humburger shocked the experts and moves on to the semifinals of the European MMA Champions League.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1204"></oktfightcomponent><h2>KRZYSZTOF JOTKO vs. MAREK MAZÚCH</h2>Jotko proved why he’s so dangerous. After neutralizing Ion Surdu in his last fight, he put on another clinic against Slovak powerhouse Mazúch. Perfectly timed takedowns, smart stand-up, and heavy shots on the ground left Mazúch with no answers. Jotko controlled every round and finished with a TKO late in the third. Will Khajevand find a way past the Polish veteran?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1225"></oktfightcomponent><h2>PIOTR WAWRZYNIAK vs. HOJAT KHAJEVAND</h2>Khajevand’s incredible run in the Tipsport Gamechanger continues! After two reserve bouts, he scored a huge quarterfinal win. In round one, he outstruck Wawrzyniak, while the Pole took over in round two and even got the fight to the ground. The third was razor-close, but Khajevand edged ahead. The German now meets Krzysztof Jotko in the semifinals.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1240"></oktfightcomponent><h2>RADEK ROUŠAL vs. ADRIAN HAMERSKI</h2>Roušal is right at home on Štvanice, once again delivering a unique walkout. But Hamerski started faster, using his kicks to trouble Roušal in round one. Late in the round, the Czech found some rhythm, and by round two, Hamerski slowed down. Roušal began landing combinations and crushed Hamerski with body shots, folding him in half before finishing on the ground. Two straight wins for Roušal—who should he fight in Brno?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1207"></oktfightcomponent><h2>DAVID ZAWADA vs. KAMIL ONISZCZUK</h2>This reserve Gamechanger bout saw the young Pole use his height to fend off Zawada’s takedowns, wearing the veteran down. As the fight progressed, Zawada faded, and the judges awarded Oniszczuk the win. He now stands as the alternate for the semifinals.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1218"></oktfightcomponent><h2>DANIEL LIGOCKI vs. ANDRE LANGEN</h2>Ligocki is a phenomenon—third short-notice fight, third first-round finish. Langen barely touched him before being pinned to the fence and eating two brutal knees to the head, dropping him for the finish. When will we see Ligocki back in action? Hopefully soon.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1242"></oktfightcomponent><h2>VOJTĚCH KHOL vs. RAPHAEL FEDERICO</h2>“The Mountain Wind” Khol had a fantastic OKTAGON debut. Round one was slightly in Federico’s favor, but Khol threatened with takedowns. In round two, Khol took control and early in round three locked up a guillotine that forced the tap. Now 3-0 as a pro, Khol called out Radek Roušal—will we see it happen?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1241"></oktfightcomponent><h2>MICHAELA HLAVÁČIKOVÁ vs. NIAMH KINEHAN</h2>Two fearless strikers made their pro MMA debut with an exciting opener. Hlaváčiková even got the early takedown, but most of the fight stayed standing with wild exchanges. The close contest went to the judges, who gave it to Kinehan. Still, Hlaváčiková showed promise—hopefully we’ll see her again soon in the yellow-and-black cage.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1230"></oktfightcomponent>Štvanice once again delivered an unforgettable night of battles, drama, and emotion. Next stop—Hannover. Max Holzer vs. UFC veteran Khalid Taha, plus more top fights on September 13th at Zag Arena. Will you be there?<okteventcomponent eventid="114"></okteventcomponent>

Štvanice delivered! The most beautiful event of the year brought action-packed fights under the open sky.

OKTAGON 74 RESULTS: SZABOVÁ CROWNED NEW QUEEN, HUMBURGER MARCHES ON IN TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER

After two years, Prague’s Štvanice will come alive again with a gala MMA event. OKTAGON 74 will be the seventh tournament held at this legendary venue, and it’s going to be a spectacular return. We have the title fight between Bolander vs. Szabová, the quarterfinals of the Tipsport Gamechanger, and many other amazing matchups. Go through the fight-by-fight preview and get ready for the most exciting tournament of the year.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/f624ebfa-1060-44d8-8d60-a21fa506258d/cs.1754661395609.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/0de5db8f-6680-4998-9309-32372547287c/cs.1754661400673.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>CECILIE BOLANDER vs. LUCIA SZABOVÁ</h2>A battle of the champion and the undefeated challenger. The highly anticipated title bout between Bolander and Szabová will showcase the best of women’s MMA. Bolander is entering her sixth professional fight, but it will be her third title bout. She is confidently entering her first title defense. However, Szabová has never lost in MMA. Her 9-0 record speaks volumes, and she’ll be aiming to capitalize on her first title opportunity. Will Bolander remain on top, or will we see the crowning of a new bantamweight queen?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1203"></oktfightcomponent><h2>KERIM ENGIZEK vs. MICK STANTON</h2>Kerim Engizek is a phenomenon that doesn’t need much introduction. The undefeated OKTAGON champion for almost 11 years plans to add another valuable scalp to his resume. While Polish fighter Oniszczuk caused him trouble in the first round, Engizek will be aiming to prove that he rightfully deserves to be the king of the middleweight division. Opposing him will be the representative of the old English school, former Cage Warriors champion Mick Stanton. In the round of 16, Stanton decisively eliminated fan-favorite Petrášek, and now he has his eyes set on another favorite. Will he back up his strong words in the cage?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1180"></oktfightcomponent><h2>DOMINIK HUMBURGER vs. MARK HULME</h2>The last Czech hope in the Tipsport Gamechanger million-dollar pyramid. The home Viking and professional soldier Dominik Humburger impressed fans with a brutal performance against Krištofič at OKTAGON 70 in Karlovy Vary. Now, he faces the biggest challenge of his career against the precise South African Mark Hulme. Hulme eliminated first-season Tipsport Gamechanger finalist Michailidis in the first round and has quickly become one of the main favorites for the overall victory in this year’s pyramid. But Humburger is an extremely tough nut to crack and has already surprised once – will he do it again at Štvanice?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1204"></oktfightcomponent><h2>KRZYSZTOF JOTKO vs. MAREK MAZÚCH</h2>A man whose experience on the world stage is unmatched in OKTAGON. Krzysztof Jotko has 17 UFC bouts under his belt and hasn’t fought anyone outside of the top 100 world rankings since 2014. In Karlovy Vary, he defeated champion Ion Surdu and made it clear that he came to win. Instead of Vlasta Čepo, he’ll face his feared Slovakian teammate Marek Mazúch, who has a reputation for the hardest punches in OKTAGON. Mazúch entered the pyramid as a “Lucky Loser,” but that doesn’t change the threat he poses to any opponent. Will he catch Jotko with one of his famous punches? Or will we see a surgical performance from the Polish veteran?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1225"></oktfightcomponent><h2>PIOTR WAWRZYNIAK vs. HOJAT KHAJEVAND</h2>The final quarterfinal of the European MMA Champions League offers an incredibly interesting clash of styles. After Matěj Peňáz had to withdraw due to infection, the new opponent for the Polish tough guy Piotr Wawrzyniak is the dangerous Hojat Khajevand. Wawrzyniak is no stranger to OKTAGON – he has fought for the title twice, became the interim middleweight champion, and is the only one to finish Vlasta Čepo by KO/TKO. Hojat has had five fights in OKTAGON, winning four of them, all by finishes before the limit. While Wawrzyniak relies on a tough stand-up and clinch game, Hojat is a grappling specialist but has won his last two fights by TKO. Who will become the last semifinalist of the Tipsport Gamechanger?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1240"></oktfightcomponent><h2>RADEK ROUŠAL vs. ADRIAN HAMERSKI</h2>Brno’s bad boy Radek Roušal cannot be missed at Štvanice, and his special entrance – what will he have prepared this time? In Karlovy Vary, he adopted Kutyła’s nickname and entered dressed as a butcher. Now he faces his gym teammate Adrian Hamerski, who comes to OKTAGON with one goal in mind – to avenge his friend Kutyła. There is real heat between the two fighters. With both being strikers, we expect brutal exchanges and a finish before the limit.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1207"></oktfightcomponent><h2>DAVID ZAWADA vs. KAMIL ONISZCZUK</h2>An extremely interesting reserve fight in the Tipsport Gamechanger – German veteran and fan-favorite David Zawada against the gutsy Polish fighter Kamil Oniszczuk. On one side, there is experience and calm, on the other, there’s aggression and power. Oniszczuk was close to a miracle and the biggest surprise of this season, narrowly losing to the star Engizek on points. Zawada, on the other hand, suffered a brutal loss by TKO from Czech sniper Matěj Peňáz and will be looking to redeem himself at Štvanice.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1218"></oktfightcomponent><h2>DANIEL LIGOCKI vs. ANDRE LANGEN</h2>There’s no one as dangerous on short notice as Třinec’s shooter Daniel Ligocki. Earlier this year, he earned two victories within 14 days at two consecutive tournaments – an incredible feat! Now, he’s taken a short-notice fight against German tough guy Andre “Angry” Langen, a newcomer to OKTAGON. A clash between two fighters who don’t leave decisions to the judges.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1242"></oktfightcomponent><h2>VOJTĚCH KHOL vs. RAPHAEL FEDERICO</h2>The fresh “Wind from the Mountains” has arrived in OKTAGON, as the young Czech talent Vojtěch Khol calls himself. A three-time Czech amateur champion and a protege of Patrik Kincl, Khol comes to OKTAGON with two wins under his belt and a wealth of amateur experience. He accepted this fight on short notice in place of the injured Jakub Tichota. His opponent will be Italian “Virtuoso” Raphael Federico. Another member of the new generation of fighters looking to make their mark at the top. This will be Federico’s second fight in the yellow-black cage – his first attempt didn’t go as planned, but he’s coming to Štvanice even hungrier for victory.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1241"></oktfightcomponent><h2>MICHAELA HLAVÁČIKOVÁ vs. NIAMH KINEHAN</h2>A double MMA debut for two experienced strikers. Michaela Hlaváčiková is known to fans from her Muay Thai fight against Lucia Szabová. The successful striker from Olomouc will now face one of the world’s most accomplished strikers, Niamh Kinehan. The British fighter boasts a 23-5-1 record, and now she wants to bring her skills into the MMA world. Whose debut will be victorious in the end?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1230"></oktfightcomponent>

After two years, Prague’s Štvanice will come alive again with a gala MMA event. OKTAGON 74 will be the seventh tournament held at this legendary venue, and it’s going to be a spectacular return.

OKTAGON 74 FIGHT BY FIGHT: ŠTVANICE WILL SHAKE TO ITS CORE

OKTAGON 74 will take place this Saturday at the legendary Štvanice. What do you know about the fighters on the card? Some interesting facts may surprise you. Read the article with records and interesting facts and be a star, whether you watch it live or from the comfort of your home.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/29e51f3e-24b5-461b-a4e5-3d5436da7ffe/cs.1754565955105.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/de1ab382-17d6-49e2-8a90-3602cf0293c4/cs.1754565959100.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>THE WOMEN'S TITLE FIGHT</h2>OKTAGON 74 will feature the fourth-ever female main event in the organization’s history – and this one is set to be a real battle! In the title fight, Norway’s armbar queen Cecilie Bolander will face the undefeated Slovak star Lucia Szabová. While Bolander will be stepping into her sixth professional fight, she’s already fighting for the title for the third time in her career. She has eight victories by armbar, while Szabová has four – so we’re in for an exciting world-class display. And it’s not just talk – Szabová is currently ranked 23rd in the bantamweight world rankings, while Bolander is ranked 71st. But here’s the catch: when she went for the OKTAGON title, Bolander wasn’t even ranked! This bantamweight queen battle is one you simply can’t miss.<h2>STEEL STRENGTH FROM POLAND</h2>Poland will have a strong presence at Štvanice – not just in numbers, but in quality. Piotr Wawrzyniak is the only fighter to have finished Vlasta Čepo by TKO, and he’s never been knocked out or submitted. From his last six fights, he’s fought for the title four times – and that speaks volumes. Krzysztof Jotko will face Mazúch, and for the first time since 2014, his opponent is ranked outside the Top 100 in the world. Jotko himself is ranked #42 worldwide and has never lost in Europe. And watch out – he was supposed to face Macha Muradov in the UFC, but the fight fell through. Could we see that clash in the yellow-and-black cage? More Polish names will join in – Kamil Oniszczuk, who never gives up, and rookie Adrian Hamerski, who wants to avenge his teammate Kutyła and teach Radek Roušal a lesson.<h2>YEARS OF DOMINANCE</h2>Kerim Engizek has been undefeated for nearly 11 years. Yes, you read that right! Since September 2014, he has not found a challenger, and he holds the longest win streak in OKTAGON with 15 straight victories. But he’s not alone – Mark Hulme hasn’t lost in over two years and is one of the biggest favorites to win the Tipsport Gamechanger tournament. Daniel Ligocki adds to the list with a perfect record since 2020, keeping a clean slate with four straight wins. And let’s not forget Lucia Szabová, who has never tasted defeat in professional MMA. She holds a 9-0 record in OKTAGON. Will she maintain it in her first title fight?<h2>OUTSIDE THE CAGE</h2>Our fighters also have a lot to offer outside the cage. Cecilie Bolander appeared on the Norwegian reality show Vinnerschkalle, where she faced historic sports challenges. Aside from that, she loves traditional Norwegian costumes – and she shared more about them in our exclusive interview, which you can find on the website. Dominik Humburger is not only a warrior in the cage but a true hero outside it. He auctioned a special military knife to support war veterans, received an award from President Pavel, and now trains self-defense in the army. “Hambáč” is more than just a fighter – he’s an inspiration. And Radek Roušal? He’ll make you laugh. He took on the role of selling women’s underwear for his partner Nela Slováková – and how did it go? Check out the video on our YouTube and get ready for a good dose of fun!Want to be part of it? Watch OKTAGON 74 at Štvanice – a tournament full of stories, records, and groundbreaking moments awaits you on August 9th! Get your PPV at a discounted price and make sure you don't miss anything.<okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>

OKTAGON 74 will take place this Saturday at the legendary Štvanice. What do you know about the fighters on the card? Some interesting facts may surprise you.

OKTAGON 74 RECORDS AND FUN FACTS: WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE STARS OF ŠTVANICE

This Saturday, during OKTAGON 74, Cecilia Bolander will face her first title defense. After recently defeating the first Czech woman in the UFC, Lucie Pudilová, she now aims to stop the winning streak of Slovakia's “Silent Killer” Lucia Szabová. How is her preparation going? And what does she expect from her fight at Štvanice? Find out all this and more in our interview.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/b7a41586-ab82-4c0b-81e1-7bd297b4a64d/cs.1754383817819.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/80b8701c-4ff1-402c-9dd3-02f4df8b3fdb/cs.1754383822405.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent>Hi Cecilia, thanks for your time. How are you feeling right now? Is your preparation going as planned?Absolutely! The preparation is going really well. My body is fit, my mind is fit. Everything is going according to plan. Way better than the last two fights.The last fight against Pudilová was quite tough—how long did it take you to get back into training?Well, I don’t really know why my face looked so beaten (laughs). But actually, I got a staphylococcal infection and ended up in the hospital for about five days. Now, however, I’ve sorted out all my health issues and feel much better. I guess you could say you saw me at rock bottom, so from here on, it can only go up.How did you celebrate winning the title? And how did your surroundings react?I celebrated with close friends and family. When we flew home, we were greeted with flowers and cake, then we went to a club and that was it. We just enjoyed life for a bit. Personally, it’s not that big of a deal for me. I just want to have good fights, and I want to see myself evolve. Honestly, I’m not that proud of the last fight, so I didn’t feel the need to celebrate too much.Of course, you’ve gained more fans and media attention. Have you noticed this back home in Norway?After the fight, I did get a bit of attention, but unfortunately not much more than when I was still an amateur. It’s still not that easy to spread success in MMA here because it’s illegal. It’s not part of the Norwegian sports system, so people don’t really know about it, and it’s hard for them to get behind the hype. I hope that will change in the future.I know MMA isn’t that popular in Norway, and organizing events is even banned. What was it like for you to stand in the Eden stadium in front of so many fans?It was so much fun! I love the connection with the fans, and I love it when even just one person moves to my song or just vibes with it. I love it, and seeing others enjoy it too – that’s probably the closest I get to pure happiness and bliss.In an interview, you mentioned that through your success, you’d like to help change the perception of MMA in your country. Do you think that change is happening?I think that change will happen slowly, and hopefully, one day it will be legalized. I feel like I’m playing my part in it. We need someone who doesn’t represent the “gangster” style, I would say. I’m just me, and I represent myself. I don’t want to act like something I’m not. So I think just being myself and constantly improving is the best way to get people to focus on it, so eventually, it gets legalized in Norway.You’ll soon experience the atmosphere of a summer tournament under the open sky in the cage. How are you looking forward to that?I’M SO EXCITED! I hope it will meet all the expectations. I’m an athlete who loves the fans, I love the noise, the crazy music, the lights – basically everything. I love that part of the game, so I’m really excited.At Štvanice, you’ll face your first title defense against the undefeated Szabová. How do you view your opponent?I’m super excited to meet her. I wouldn’t say I’m threatened. I think it’s a really good matchup. I think both of us have roughly the same skill levels, and then I would say I’m way stronger and probably in better condition, so I just can’t wait to get in there and prove it.How do you generally prepare for your opponents? Do you watch their fights, or do you prefer to focus on yourself?I mostly focus on myself, but of course, my team watches her fights, and I also watch some fights, and we aim for the style we need for that particular fighter. But I still have a lot of areas I need to work on myself, so most of my time goes into working on myself.Now, stepping away from MMA for a moment – on Instagram, you have several photos in traditional costumes. How did you get into that? Is it a family tradition? What do you enjoy about it?Where I’m from, every girl has one. It’s called bunad and it’s the national dress. The one I have was made by my mom from scratch. Every stitch you see was made by my mom, so it means a lot to me. And when I put it on, I feel really good, really beautiful. It’s a Norwegian tradition that has been around for decades. You also usually wear the one that represents your region.I assume you follow OKTAGON events. Is there any fighter you never miss? What do you enjoy about their fights?To be honest, I’m not a huge fan in terms of watching the fights. I spend a lot of time doing MMA, and I usually don’t have the need to watch it so much. But I love it when we watch it with my friends in a group. And I’m a fan of anyone who knows how to entertain.Finally, what would you like to say to OKTAGON fans who are planning to come to Štvanice?It doesn’t really matter if you cheer for me or not. I just really hope you enjoy the event, and that I will satisfy every need you have when it comes to watching MMA. And I’m not letting you leave the arena not entertained. That will never happen as long as I’m on the card. I’m really excited to see everyone, and I can’t wait!<okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>

This Saturday, during OKTAGON 74, Cecilia Bolander will face her first title defense. After recently defeating the first Czech woman in the UFC, Lucie Pudilová, she now aims to stop the winning streak of Slovakia's “Silent Killer” Lucia Szabová.

BOLANDER BEFORE TITLE DEFENSE: NO ONE PUTS MORE PRESSURE ON ME THAN MYSELF

A legend returns. After two years off and retirement, Daniel "Drake" Weichel – former M-1 champion, Bellator star, and German MMA icon – is putting on the gloves again. And not just anywhere. He will step into the OKTAGON cage for the first time, right in his hometown of Frankfurt! Fans can look forward to the return of a fighter with over 50 professional fights, 22 submissions, and 6 KO wins. One of Europe’s most respected fighters of all time is back, and he's hungry.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/62ee02c2-e4d8-40d2-a8cb-aff78477cf3c/cs.1754299018408.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/7e2ed31e-997f-4aed-959e-5c8ddc72fe7b/cs.1754299022789.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AND BIG DREAMS</h2>Weichel hails from Michelstadt, a small town near Frankfurt. He’s been involved in martial arts since childhood – starting with Jujutsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, gradually expanding his skillset until he arrived at MMA. At 18, he had his first professional fight. It was during a time when the German MMA scene was still in its infancy, but Daniel already knew where he wanted to go. He worked hard, traveled across Europe to tournaments, and gathered experience.<h2>CHAMPION IN RUSSIA, WARRIOR IN AMERICA</h2>The turning point came in 2010 when he won the prestigious M-1 Global title, one of the biggest MMA promotions outside the UFC. In Russia, "Drake" defeated local favorites and caught the attention of international promoters. Four years later, he made his debut in the American Bellator promotion, where he became the face of the organization over the next decade. He fought for the title twice and participated in an incredible 18 bouts against top fighters, including Patricio Freire and Emmanuel Sanchez.<h2>BLACK BELT IN BJJ, BUT ABOVE ALL A TRUE PROFESSIONAL</h2>Physical preparation, a disciplined approach, and an extremely intelligent game – Weichel can break his opponents down from the ground up. His 22 submissions speak for themselves – on the ground, he’s like an anaconda, and once he secures a position, few can escape. He has never shied away from a challenge and enters every fight with 100% confidence, which is why he has earned the respect of the European MMA community. After leaving Bellator in 2023, he announced his retirement, but as often happens, his fighter’s heart called for another challenge.<h2>FIRST TIME IN OKTAGON. AND RIGHT AT HOME!</h2>OKTAGON 76 in Frankfurt will be a special event. Not only because of the arena and atmosphere but also because of the return of a local hero. "Drake" will make his debut in the yellow-black cage, right in front of his home crowd. "I feel that now is the right moment. In my hometown, with my fans behind me, I want to show once again what I have been passionately dedicated to for over 20 years," said Daniel after announcing his return. For the fans? A dream come true. And for Weichel himself? A chance to close his career on his terms. Not as an observer, but as a fighter who still has something to say. And who knows – maybe the hunger for gold will awaken in him once again. One thing is for sure: Frankfurt will be on its feet. He will face the extremely dangerous striker Tounkara, who has already fought in OKTAGON against Buchinger and will try to give the German legend a crushing welcome.Weichel won’t be the only one to get the fans’ blood pumping in Frankfurt. Also, appearing at OKTAGON 76 is another local name that has quickly won the hearts of the audience – the phenomenal Frederic Vosgröne. OKTAGON 76 promises an electrifying atmosphere, the return of a legend, and tough battles. Want to be there? Don’t hesitate and get your ticket before it’s sold out. History will be made here.<okteventcomponent eventid="112"></okteventcomponent>

A legend returns. After two years off and retirement, Daniel "Drake" Weichel – former M-1 champion, Bellator star, and German MMA icon – is putting on the gloves again. And not just anywhere. He will step into the OKTAGON cage for the first time, right in his hometown of Frankfurt!

DANIEL WEICHEL: THE LEGEND OF GERMAN MMA IS COMING TO OKTAGON

Jakub "CHIMP" Tichota returns to the cage after seven months. At OKTAGON 74, he will face Raphael Federico. One of the most promising young Czech talents is moving back to the featherweight division, where he has secured all his victories and fought twice for the title. Will he manage to break his losing streak? Read the article to get reacquainted with Czech "Chimp".<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/a8e0ab8c-f771-479d-94ab-6d1447389e01/cs.1753969573054.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/0735bb76-86d5-460c-9fc8-de42733a1e0c/cs.1753969579105.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>WHERE DID THE NICKNAME "CHIMP" COME FROM?</h2>The nickname has been associated with Tichota for so long that many new fans don’t know its origin. When Jakub was young, he traveled with his parents to Tanzania. While they worked on a project, Jakub befriended a group of chimpanzees who accepted him into their group, effectively serving as his peers. It’s a bit of an alternative Tarzan story. For Jakub, it remains a powerful and important memory, which is why he chose the nickname to remind him of that time.<h2>KARATE MASTER AND THE SWITCH TO MMA</h2>Tichota started karate at the age of seven, which was his first experience with combat sports. Jakub's talent was evident from the start. He quickly became a national champion and finished third at the Junior World Championship. However, he felt karate lacked enough contact, so at the age of 12, he switched to MMA, which immediately captivated him. At 14, he had his first amateur fight against a 26-year-old opponent. Although he lost by decision, he managed to break the older opponent's nose! Following this, he had several more successes in the amateur circuit—becoming a multiple Czech champion, winning the African Open IMMAF championship, and with a 37-9 record, he turned professional.<h2>A GENERATIONAL TALENT EVERYONE TALKED ABOUT</h2>Tichota generated huge expectations even among amateurs. At his age, he was an extremely mature and versatile fighter with a high fighting IQ. This, combined with his mature demeanor, high ambitions, and praise from coaches and experts, put immense pressure on the 20-year-old Tichota. His professional debut came in February 2020 against Michal Konrád. He passed this tough first test with flying colors—by the beginning of the third round, he took Konrád's back and secured an RNC, which left no escape. Even under the pressure of expectations, he finished his debut before the limit, and a new Czech MMA hope was born.<h2>TITLE FIGHTS: PROOF OF A WARRIOR’S HEART</h2>After his debut at OKTAGON, Tichota quickly collected four more victories—against names like Denis Tripšanský, Dawid Kareta, and the fan-favorite fisherman Elonen-Kulmala. Tichota's success took him to the top of the division, and his title shot didn't take long to come. At the end of 2022, he fought for the featherweight title for the first time against the dangerous Georgian Mate Sanikidze. The five-round battle went to the judges' decision, with Sanikidze being declared the winner by a slim margin.His second title opportunity came just four months later. Losene Keita, having won the lightweight belt, targeted the featherweight division for his second belt. Originally, he was supposed to fight Sanikidze, but an injury forced Sanikidze out, and Tichota accepted the challenge on short notice. In the first round of the fight, Keita broke Tichota's collarbone, but Jakub refused to give up and fought Keita until the fourth round! Although he ultimately lost by TKO, he showed the heart of a fighter and earned the admiration of fans and experts alike.<h2>STRUGGLES IN LIGHTWEIGHT AND A RETURN BACK</h2>After two lost title fights, Jakub decided to change weight classes. He found it difficult to cut weight for lightweight and felt he wasn't performing at the level he desired. His first fight in his new weight class offered a clash with another young talent with high ambitions—Englishman George Staines. However, Staines, undefeated at the time, proved to be a tough challenge, and Tichota lost again by decision. This was followed by a disappointing fight with Ozan Aslaner, and suddenly the Czech "Chimp" found himself with four losses in a row. Now, however, he returns to the featherweight division, where he has previously thrived and performed his best. His opponent at Štvanice will be Raphael Federico from Italy.The young Italian, nicknamed "Virtuoso" is a similar case to Tichota—a young, ambitious fighter with high expectations. Now, he will need to prove his worth on the biggest European stage—OKTAGON, against the home crowd favorite at a sold-out Štvanice.How will Tichota perform on his return? Will his comeback to the featherweight division be more successful than his move to lightweight? We will find out on August 9 at OKTAGON 74. Don't miss the unique atmosphere of the summer tournament under the open sky. Only 100 tickets left, so don't wait and secure your spot now!<okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>

Jakub "CHIMP" Tichota returns to the cage after seven months. At OKTAGON 74, he will face newcomer Raphael Federico.

JAKUB TICHOTA RETURNS TO THE FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION. WILL HE REPEAT HIS PREVIOUS SUCCESSES?

Heart vs. mind. That’s how the clash between Czech soldier Dominik "Hambáč" Humburger and South African champion Mark Hulme in the quarterfinals of the Tipsport Gamechanger million-dollar pyramid can be described. Both made their debuts in OKTAGON during the first round of the tournament and both delivered hard finishes against more experienced fighters. "Hambáč" will once again enter as the underdog. Will he convince the bookmakers of his quality?<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/614a2923-a47e-4fad-8c48-c56a91caa223/cs.1753722459399.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/70c08453-3e22-432c-ad7a-00bfd5c46a31/cs.1753722464889.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>DOMINIK HUMBURGER: BODY OF STEEL AND A HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE</h2>Dominik "Hambáč" Humburger is still a new face in the OKTAGON scene, but he doesn't shy away from it. A soldier by profession, he began his pro MMA career in 2021 and has since amassed a record of 10–2, with eight of his wins coming by finish! He caught the attention of local fans during his debut at the Karlovy Vary event, where he knocked out Samuel Krištofič in an incredible battle. Now, in the quarterfinals of the Tipsport Gamechanger, he faces another tough test – talented South African Mark Hulme. Dominik will again enter as the underdog, but this seems to suit him – just think back to his performance against "Pirate."Outside the cage, "Hambáč" is as inspiring as he is inside. He recently received a military award from President Petr Pavel, and he had a charitable project where he auctioned off a special military knife, donating the proceeds to war veterans and their families. He now trains hand-to-hand combat and self-defense in the army. Dominik is also known for his tattoos – some referencing Viking myths and Valhalla, while others have deeper family significance. For example, the Star of David on his body reminds him of his great-grandmother, who survived a concentration camp during World War II. Humburger is more than just a fighter – he is a warrior with a powerful story and clear values.<h2>MARK HULME: MORE THAN JUST A HARD MAN FROM SOUTH AFRICA</h2>Mark Hulme is no newcomer to MMA – the multiple-time champion of South Africa's EFC made quick work of finalist Andreas Michailidis in the first round of the European MMA League, Tipsport Gamechanger. Some fans may also remember him from the reality show The Ultimate Fighter. He trains in one of the toughest gyms around, where they follow the "Double Distance" method – sparring for twice the duration of the actual fight, each time with a new opponent. But Hulme doesn't rely only on brute force. He spends a lot of time meditating, working with mantras, and focusing on his internal mindset. UFC champion and long-time teammate Dricus du Plessis accompanies him during training and outside of it.Mark is not just a tough guy in the cage. During the pandemic, he walked 1,500 km across South Africa, slept in tents, climbed 13 peaks, and prayed at each summit for a specific purpose. He undertook the journey to reconnect with himself and find a deeper meaning in life. Today, he draws strength, humility, and determination from that experience. And is he a man full of goodness? During a camp in Dagestan, he took in a stray street cat and found her a new home. That’s Mark Hulme – a fighter who knows why he fights.When indomitable will meets icy calm and spiritual strength, we can expect nothing less than a battle! "Hambáč" will rely on his power, explosiveness, and warrior’s heart, while Hulme will use his experience, composure, and precise tactics. It will be a clash of styles and life approaches – and a fight that could be decided by a single moment. Will the Czech soldier rewrite the script and send another favorite home, or will the South African champion take another step toward his dream win in the Tipsport Gamechanger?This and much more awaits at OKTAGON 74 on August 9th at Prague’s Štvanice! You can look forward to all the quarterfinals of the million-dollar pyramid, two title fights, and a night full of the best fights under the open sky. Don’t miss the unique summer atmosphere – get your PPV and be there!<okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>

Heart vs. mind. That’s how the clash between Czech soldier Dominik "Hambáč" Humburger and South African champion Mark Hulme in the quarterfinals of the Tipsport Gamechanger million-dollar pyramid can be described.

FIGHT STORY: THE BIGGEST FAVORITE OF THE TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER FACES THE CZECH VIKING

Krzysztof Jotko is one of the most respected fighters in the European MMA scene. Rising from his Polish base to UFC, he has faced the world’s elite. Now, he is making waves in the Tipsport Gamechanger million-dollar pyramid in OKTAGON, and is clearly one of the top contenders for the overall victory. How did his journey into combat sports begin? Read this article and get to know Polish veteran Krzysztof Jotko more closely.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/29624061-ee7f-4106-a4c1-78bb1f305cd7/cs.1753537776248.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/59e0736a-b19f-40e6-b15a-23fed54e34a4/cs.1753537782794.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>THE POLISH DANCER WITH A BIG DREAM</h2>Before he embarked on the path of combat sports, young Krzysztof was dedicated to breakdancing. He grew up in Orneta, a town in northern Poland. His life changed when he watched the legendary fight between Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock, which made him decide to pursue combat sports. As an amateur, he amassed over 70 MMA fights and became a two-time national champion. Transitioning to the professional ranks was no problem for him – he won his first 14 fights in a row, which attracted the attention of global organizations, including the UFC, where he was offered his first fight on short notice in 2013. He passed the test against Bruno Santos with flying colors, and a year later, he was officially part of the organization. Interestingly, Jotko's last opponent outside of UFC was the popular Serbian fighter Bojan Veličković, the winner of the first season of Tipsport Gamechanger, who recently retired from his professional career at a recent event in Eden.<h2>ENGAGEMENT AMONG THE WORLD ELITE</h2>Jotko's second fight in his new organization came in 2014, and it didn't go well – Swedish veteran Magnus Cedenblad caught him in a guillotine in the second round, and the younger Krzysztof couldn't escape. After that came a series of five consecutive wins, which catapulted Jotko to the top of the middleweight division. At one point, he was ranked #13 in the world middleweight rankings! He fought stars like Uriah Hall, Sean Strickland, and Gerald Meerschaert. Jotko left UFC in 2022 with an impressive record of 11-6. For a time, he was one of the most successful fighters in the organization in terms of win percentage when the decision went to the judges. Jotko is a strategic fighter who always sticks to his game plan and avoids unnecessary risks. However, this strategy has not always been the best, and sometimes victories slipped through his fingers due to excessive caution.<h2>RETURN TO EUROPE AND THE TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER CHAPTER</h2>After UFC, Jotko had one fight in PFL, where he faced another well-known fighter, two-time champion Will Fleury. Their middleweight bout ended in a No Contest, and both fighters left the organization. Then came the lucrative offer that he couldn’t refuse – participation in the Tipsport Gamechanger million-dollar pyramid. Immediately after the announcement of his arrival in OKTAGON, he became one of the top favorites for the overall victory in the eyes of many fans and experts. With more big-fight experience than most of his opponents, Jotko was in for a tough first test – welterweight champion Ion Surdu. During the public weigh-ins, Krzysztof showed that he wanted to entertain. Against “Dracula,” he wore a garlic necklace and entered the fight dressed as the comic book character Blade, the famous vampire hunter. In the cage, he showed his ability to read his opponent's moves and eliminate risks. He imposed his style through clinch and wrestling, where he is like a fish in water, and won the fight on points. In the quarterfinals, he was originally supposed to face the king of chaos – Vlasta “El Chapo” Čepo, but Čepo had to withdraw from the tournament due to an injury from his previous fight. His replacement became another Slovak fighter with grenades in his hands, Marek Mazúch. Will Jotko rely again on dominance in the clinch and on the ground, or will he allow himself to engage with Mazúch in striking exchanges? We will find out on August 9th at Prague's Štvanice.At Prague’s Štvanice, in addition to Jotko's quarterfinal battle, there will be a full lineup of other quarterfinalists, two title fights, and other names you love – all under the open sky in a unique summer atmosphere. Buy PPV at a better price and watch as new history is made in European MMA!<okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>

Krzysztof Jotko is one of the most respected fighters in the European MMA scene. Rising from his Polish base to UFC, he has faced the world’s elite. Now, he is making waves in the Tipsport Gamechanger million-dollar pyramid in OKTAGON.

WHO IS KRZYSZTOF JOTKO AND WHY SHOULD MIDDLEWEIGHT BE ON ALERT?

The bantamweight division will crown a new champion at Štvanice. In the title fight, Brazilian super-talent Igor Severino will face the experienced English veteran Jack Cartwright. While the young Brazilian is still at the beginning of a promising career, Cartwright has a history of title fights, many of which he left victorious. But will experience be enough to overcome the dangerous Severino?<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/76a4ee7c-ea8c-40df-97a6-213276b8625e/cs.1753264615487.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/8551ef8e-5bf3-4901-a06f-35c992ecfeaa/cs.1753264620792.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>IGOR "THE HANNIBAL" SEVERINO</h2>At just 22 years old, Severino is currently ranked #1 in the OKTAGON bantamweight division. After winning the title in the Brazilian organization Jungle Fight, he received an offer to join Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS), where he won by TKO in the second round and earned a UFC contract. However, in a fight against his compatriot Lim, Severino suffered an unexpected slip-up, leading to a disqualification and his first career loss. The young fighter had to redeem himself and prove that he belongs among the world’s elite. The OKTAGON fight against a former champion was the perfect opportunity. In his bout against Danish shark Jonas Magard, Severino showed his dominance in almost every aspect of the fight and claimed his first win by decision after three rounds. Before that, he had finished all his victories—4 by knockout and 4 by submission. Despite his age, Severino is a very technical and tough fighter. He skillfully combines striking and grappling, and his record of 9-1 demonstrates his undeniable talent. He enters the fight against Cartwright as a heavy favorite, but Jack is not someone who can easily be shaken by such expectations.<h2>JACK CARTWRIGHT – SEASONED VETERAN FROM CAGE WARRIORS</h2>The almost 10-year-older Englishman, Jack Cartwright, comes into this fight with a wealth of experience. With a professional record of 12-2 and 6 wins by submission, the former Cage Warriors champion is currently ranked #2 in the OKTAGON bantamweight division. He successfully defended his title three times in the UK and also participated in DWCS before joining OKTAGON. So far, he has had 3 fights in OKTAGON, with his most recent victory being a close win against Georgian fighter Mate Sanikidze last September. Interestingly, Cartwright was drawn to combat sports somewhat by chance—his neighbor was Tyson Fury, and after watching him train regularly next door, Jack decided to give it a try. He even sparred with Fury's cousin at a nearby boxing gym. But now, Cartwright is fully focused on his opponent, as this is the one and only obstacle between him and his dream of becoming the OKTAGON champion.<h2>WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE CLASH AND WHO HAS THE EDGE?</h2>According to the community on Tapology, Severino leads the predictions with around 92% of the votes. Most fans do not expect a finish before the limit. Both fighters rarely leave decisions to the judges. Bookmakers also favor the Brazilian due to his explosiveness and high finish rate, but Cartwright brings excellent technique, experience, and endurance – his chances increase if the fight reaches the later rounds.Fans and experts are divided: Severino's youthful and aggressive style promises a dynamic show, while Cartwright’s technical approach may complicate the script – plus, he has the advantage in terms of number of fights and stability over five rounds. Details could decide the outcome—grappling defense, mental resilience, and tactics.It will be a fight between two completely different worlds – youthful hunger against seasoned experience. Who will emerge as the new ruler of the bantamweight division? You’ll find out on August 9th at OKTAGON 74 at the beautiful Štvanice stadium. If you don't want to miss this title showdown, get your PPV and watch all the action live from the comfort of your home.<okteventcomponent eventid="119"></okteventcomponent>