<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/e1156ee8-2099-458a-a5ac-67c00365ea2f/cs.1713534340678.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/31cfd15a-3867-433c-8599-ec51310b3fcb/cs.1713534344592.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent>Už v sobotu nás čeká další fantastický večer– tentokrát přivezeme nejtvrdší sport na světě do britského Birminghamu. Očekávaný titulový zápas snad nejsympatičtějších vyzyvatelů v historii OKTAGONU, vášnivé spory a drzouni z Irska i oblíbená česká jména… Karta je nabitá, pojďme si ji projít!&nbsp;ABY VS. CREASEY&nbsp;Očekávaným vrcholem večera bude titulový zápas muší váhy, ve kterém uvidíme elity světa bojových sportů. Na jedné straně bojovník tělem i duší Aaron Aby, který už o pás šampiona usiloval v Manchesteru, jeho plány však přerušila stopáž od lékaře. Jak příznačné pro bojovníka, který už se dokázal poprat s onemocněním cystické fibrózy a rakovinou ve 3. stádiu, kdy mu lékaři dávali jen půl roku života. Nesmírně silný Velšan se ani nyní nevzdává a do boje o titul jde znovu. Jednoduché to ale mít nebude, jeho protivníkem bude Sam Creasey, bývalý dvojnásobný šampion Cage Warriors a světová #82, odhodlaný samuraj, který pro bojové sporty dýchá den co den. Budeme tak svědky duelu dvou velkých bojových srdcí, která inspirují daleko za hranicemi klece, ale i v ní předvádí naprosto světové výkony.&nbsp;<oktfightcomponent fightid="884"></oktfightcomponent>TIP PRO TEBE: Přečti si celý příběh výjimečného titulového zápasu <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oktagonmma.com/cs/blog/aby-vs-creasey-poprve-se-utkali-v-prazdne-hale-ted-jako-hvezdy-vecera/">ZDE</a>.&nbsp;WANLISS VS. SIRAJ&nbsp;V dalších zápasech to bude vřít nefalšovaným rivalstvím. V odloženém souboji Tipsport Gamechangeru si to konečně vyříkají Akonne Wanliss a Sahil Siraj. Po incidentu v Ostravě, kde musel být jejich zápas přeložen, jsou oba nažhaveni jen na to, pomstít se tomu druhému dle pravidel v kleci. A bude to jistě výbušné, zatímco Wanliss má všech 7 výher před limitem, jeho soupeř Siraj je švédskou #1 lehké váhy a „The Knockout Prince” se mu neříká náhodou.<oktfightcomponent fightid="869"></oktfightcomponent>ROCK VS. CATACOLI&nbsp;V dalším duelu se pak představí milovaný i nenáviděný Shem Rock, který se definitivně <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oktagonmma.com/cs/blog/shem-rock-je-zpatky-prisel-ale-o-svou-silnou-zbran/">vrací do žlutočerné klece</a> a je tak jasné, že se to neobejde bez show, která je majiteli všech 9 výher před limitem vlastní. Jeho soupeř Stefano Catacoli naposledy všechny umlčel, když v zápase, který přijal jen chvíli před začátkem turnaje, porazil Širokého. Umlčí teď i irského showmana?<oktfightcomponent fightid="913"></oktfightcomponent>ŠKVOR VS. FLEURY&nbsp;A k vášnivému trash talku se může připojit i duel Škvor vs. Fleury. Po tom, co fantastický irský bojovník oznámil <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oktagonmma.com/cs/blog/kdo-je-nova-irska-posila-oktagonu-pekny-drzoun/">příchod do organizace</a>, vyhlásil ve videu snad celou polotěžkou váhu. Na to reagoval Dan Škvor, jeden z nejlepších českých postojářů, který tak přijal dosud největší výzvu celé své kariéry. O zkušené světové #83, která sekala hlavy v největších organizacích, říká sám protivník Škvor: „To ani není trash talk, on si to opravdu myslí. A má na to právo.” A jak odhodlaný český postojář dodává v <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oktagonmma.com/cs/blog/rozhovor-se-skvorem-pokud-vyhraju-chci-jit-pro-titul/">rozhovoru</a>, kdyby tuhle debutující hvězdu porazil, chce jít pro titul.&nbsp;<oktfightcomponent fightid="898"></oktfightcomponent>KALAŠNIK VS. ETEBAR&nbsp;O vtipnou show mimo klec se vždy rád postará Andrej Kalašnik, který si svým nadhledem získává srdce všech fanoušků OKTAGONU. Poslední dobou je ho na sítích plno a o svém vagabund stylu se rozpovídal i v <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oktagonmma.com/cs/blog/rozhovor-s-kalasnikem-vagabund-vedel-jsem-ze-musim-neco-zmenit/">nedávném rozhovoru</a>. Své charisma bude ale muset potvrdit i v kleci proti Liamu Etebarovi, anglickému majiteli KO tak rychlých, že by překonala rekordy celé organizace.&nbsp;<oktfightcomponent fightid="901"></oktfightcomponent>STAINES VS. CIGÁNIK&nbsp;V sobotu se můžeme těšit i na oba finalisty OKTAGON Challenge: England vs. Ireland! Vítěz celé soutěže, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oktagonmma.com/cs/blog/staines-z-geeka-superstar/">nenápadný geek</a> George Staines, se utká s nadějným Tomášem Cigánikem. Oba byli velice šikovní v amatérech a zatímco George vyhrál celou výzvu, Cigánik je zase šampionem irské organizace Clan Wars, ve které kdysi začínal i Conor McGregor!&nbsp;<oktfightcomponent fightid="872"></oktfightcomponent>DOHNAL VS. HENDIN&nbsp;Dva kohouti v jedné kleci? Takhle bychom asi popsali tenhle souboj nabitý pořádným mužským sebevědomím! Dohnal dostal vysněnou zkušenost od Bukiho a rozhodně tím nekončí, naopak. Do cesty se mu postaví v OKTAGONU debutující Brit James Hendin, který má na kontě už 9 zápasů v Cage Warriors.&nbsp;<oktfightcomponent fightid="914"></oktfightcomponent>FRIMPONG VS. MULLEN&nbsp;Ztělesněný opak Stainese a druhý finalista Výzvy, to je hlasitý a extrovertní Denis Frimpong, který bude chtít své ostré výroky potvrdit i v kleci. Zopakuje si tak vlastně souboj Irsko vs. Anglie, protože jeho soupeřem bude Brit Callum Mullen.<oktfightcomponent fightid="899"></oktfightcomponent>TIP PRO TEBE: Možná nevíš, že za všemi komentáři a trash talkem se skrývá dost silný příběh! Přečti si o Frimpongovi <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oktagonmma.com/cs/blog/frimpong-za-showmanem-se-skryva-dojemny-pribeh/">VÍCE</a>.&nbsp;STANTON VS. WOJCIECHOWSKI&nbsp;Dva pořádné přírůstky do organizace! Brit Mick Stanton začal s MMA až ve 30 letech, ale zvládl vystřídat 3 váhové divize, 20 zápasů a dvakrát se stát šampionem Cage Warriors. Kromě toho má zkušenosti i z BAMMA a PFL. Polská posila Kamil Wojciechowski se pyšní skóre 8-1 a jeho velkou zbraní je grappling.&nbsp;<oktfightcomponent fightid="882"></oktfightcomponent>HANDANAGIĆ VS. DIXON&nbsp;Svůj první zápas v organizaci zažije i nebezpečný Dixon, kterému se postaví zkušenější zástupce české scény Handanagić. Uvidíme, jak zamíchají napjatým welterem! Český zápasník má na kontě už 7 ukončení před limitem a velmi rád kazí protivníkům plány, třeba hvězdnému Švédovi Jacobssonovi, kterému zhatil naděje na Tipsport Gamechanger. Dixon disponuje černým pásem v BJJ, žádnou prohrou v amatérech a v profících všemi výhrami před limitem.&nbsp;<oktfightcomponent fightid="896"></oktfightcomponent>DIEDRICK VS. HROMEK&nbsp;Postojářská přestřelka? Už to tak vypadá, když se sejdou tihle dva. Ammari Diedrick, MMA fighter i profi kickboxer, který končí téměř výhradně na KO a proti němu Daniel Hromek, jeden z nejlepších slovenských postojářů a zkušený thai boxer.<oktfightcomponent fightid="912"></oktfightcomponent>GAVIN VS. GAYE&nbsp;Vítej mezi profíky! Uvidíme, jaké přivítání to bude pro Mbaye Gaye, který je v amatérech neporažen! Zkušenosti z profi scény naopak nechybí jeho soupeři Gavinovi, který v anglicko-irské Výzvě svedl legendární bitvu s Frimpongem a v amatérech byl dokonce pětinásobným šampionem.&nbsp;<oktfightcomponent fightid="933"></oktfightcomponent>MORRIS VS. ÁLVAREZA ochuzeni nebudou ani příznivci ženského MMA, večer otevřou pěkně ostré dámské lokty! Velká naděje, která naposledy trpělivě dohnala k slzám Veroniku Smolkovou, to je Megan Morris. A proti ní horkokrevná Španělka Álvarez, která trénuje po boku Peňáze a Limy.&nbsp;<oktfightcomponent fightid="883"></oktfightcomponent>

Stručně, jasně, přehledně: co přinese sobotní OKTAGON 56 v Birminghamu? Projdi si celou kartu a buď v obraze!  

TVŮJ NEJLEPŠÍ PŘEHLED: OKTAGON 56 ZÁPAS PO ZÁPASE 

It feels like it went by in a flash—another year packed with the best of European MMA in the Tipsport Gamechanger is behind us. This year showcased the top talents of the lightweight division, featuring gripping stories and breathtaking battles. Let’s take a journey through time to relive the path to the spectacular finale we’ll witness this Sunday at the O2 Arena.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/6e476f82-0e63-4615-a70e-69560d244d2f/cs.1734969057136.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/dc747f09-1534-47c5-b7e2-c42ac6e0e4f7/cs.1734969066660.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>IT ALL STARTED IN MARCH</h2>Most of the Round of 16 took place in March at the OSTRAVAR Arena, where six fighters secured their spots in the next stage:Legierski triumphed over Kohout, Bogdanović shocked Nafuka, leaving him in tears, Duque surprised everyone, particularly his opponent Grabinski, Machaev obliterated one of the biggest favorites, Amirkhani, Torres defeated the second Czech contender Lengál, and Rony Paradeiser, now a finalist, edged past Korkmaz, despite battling illness during his preparation.But wait—are we missing someone?<h2>A WILD FIRST ROUND: INJURIES, CONFLICTS, AND DRAMA</h2>Not everything went smoothly.Losene Keita, who will step into the finale in just a few days, was a highly anticipated addition to the tournament. However, shortly after his participation was confirmed, an injury sidelined him from competing in Ostrava. Fans, however, voted for him to get a second chance, which he seized in May in Frankfurt by defeating Sardari on points. Yet, his Dutch opponent gave him a tough fight, and there were moments when it seemed Keita’s journey might end there.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/5caef68c-1c63-45f6-b9d8-2e4ab4806b06/cs.1734970076536.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/abd3f371-7b79-46de-b772-f11cc934d28c/cs.1734970085650.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent>Then came the Wanliss vs. Siraj saga—a story many might prefer to forget. The cocky Englishman and Sweden's top lightweight served up a heap of drama. What started as provocation from Wanliss turned into an ugly attack by Siraj's coaches, and their match was canceled at the last minute. The two were given another chance in Birmingham, but the tension persisted. Ultimately, Wanliss emerged victorious, though he didn’t exactly win over the fans.<h2>QUARTERFINALS IN THE SUMMER HEAT</h2>The pyramid’s opening round set up more storylines than anyone could have anticipated. The quarterfinals, featuring four matches, were split between Prague and Bratislava.In Prague’s Eden Arena, in front of nearly 30,000 fans, Wanliss was soundly defeated by Legierski, to the delight of the audience. The evening’s surprise came from powerhouse Acoidan Duque, who, against expectations, knocked out the promising Machaev with remarkable skill.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/79cce653-5f4d-4e08-8d68-0f00f0ddcee0/cs.1734970213950.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/09440213-9692-45ff-85aa-168ac5f0e4ad/cs.1734970217872.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent>In Bratislava, the future finalists faced off. Losene Keita achieved a TKO against Bogdanović in the second round, while Rony Paradeiser defeated Torres on points. Both advanced to the semifinals, sharing the joy of their progress.<h2>SEPTEMBER: HIGH STAKES, BIG DECISIONS</h2>Time flew by, and suddenly, it was the semifinals! The million-dollar pyramid showdown took place in Brno, with the match between Legierski and Keita as the centerpiece. Both fighters were unusually cautious, aware of the stakes and the dangers they faced in the cage. A few precise strikes from the Belgian star and a decisive points victory secured his spot in the grand finale.The Canary Islands’ miracle, Duque, faced a relentless Paradeiser, but the Slovak champion proved too much to handle. With a precise KO, Rony ended his opponent’s run with just over a minute left in the match.<h2>WHO WILL BE EUROPE’S BEST LIGHTWEIGHT?</h2>And so we arrive at the year’s end and the grand finale that fans have been dreaming about since the tournament began: champion Paradeiser versus the star Keita. The Slovak fighter is clearly in the form of his life, even putting his championship belt on the line. Additionally, the fight will determine the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings across all weight classes. For Rony, it’s all or nothing; for Keita, it’s a chance for glory, wealth, and the title of double champion.<h2>SHINING IN THE RESERVE BOUTS</h2>Let’s not forget those who served in the reserve bouts, ready to step in when needed. Attila Korkmaz stood out, earning fans’ admiration twice as a “Lucky Loser.” Outstanding performances also came from Buki and Sardari, who will make his second appearance in the reserve match on Sunday against Legierski.<h2>YOU CAN WIN TOO!</h2>The action-packed year culminates with a new addition: the Tipsport Gamechanger Challenge! You can play for valuable prizes or even 2.5 million by sending us your predictions for the winners. Join the contest <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://tipsportgamechanger.com/en/challenge/">HERE</a>.<h2>NEW DIVISION, NEW CHALLENGES</h2>Curious about what’s next? The Tipsport Gamechanger 2025 will feature the middleweight division, and exciting announcements are already on the horizon.For the biggest reveals, join us on Saturday, December 28, at 4:30 PM in the O2 Universum or online during OKTAGON TIME, where you’ll be the first to learn what’s coming next!<okteventcomponent eventid="108"></okteventcomponent>

Thrilling duels, high drama, and unexpected twists. What led us to the grand finale of the Tipsport Gamechanger?

HOW DID TIME FLY IN THE TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER 2024? RELIVE THIS YEAR'S EXCITING EDITION

Her last fight left everyone speechless – she managed to push Lucie Pudilová to the edge, and it was just a hair’s breadth away from her being the one to fight for the title now. Their bout was talked about as one of the best of the evening, and Bolander is attracting more and more fans. However, the Norwegian fighter doesn’t have it easy… yet she relentlessly pursues her goals.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/a55b254c-e928-473f-825f-cbe99e32582f/cs.1734711257963.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/15e0548f-f9c1-471d-817b-9b4f99568d10/cs.1734711258372.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent>Your last fight against Pudilová was incredibly close. How do you look back on that fight now? Do you feel like you deserved the win?I mean, feeling like you deserve to win—I don’t know. The judges are there, they’re doing their job, and I trust them. So, I guess she deserved the win. What I know from the fight is that it’s a fight I should have ended way earlier. But the circumstances were different, and all I can say is that if I meet her again, it will not be a judge’s decision.You are currently the backup for the title fight between Szabová and Pudilová – how challenging is it to stay ready to jump in if needed? Do you think about that possibility, or are you solely focused on your own fight?I’m still at that level where I need to improve in all aspects of MMA. It doesn’t matter who’s on the other side of the cage—it probably never will. But I know where I’m going. The one on the other side is just another piece of the puzzle, someone I have to get through to reach the next level.It’s not very challenging to be a backup in this title fight. Honestly, this is probably the first time I’ve ever hoped someone would get injured or sick so I can step in. It’s not personal. I just want that title fight more than probably any of the other girls.We’re curious about the situation of MMA in Norway, where the sport is reportedly illegal. What’s your take on that?I definitely want to be part of making MMA legal in Norway. I do think it will happen, and I hope to help the process.How does the legal situation in Norway practically complicate your career and your preparation for fights?It complicates things for the career. It makes it way harder to get sponsorships. For me personally, the hardest part is not having any insurance for what I do, which bothers me a lot. Most people don’t have insurance because they expect something bad to happen, but because it’s a safety net. It would be nice to have that backup.Is it even possible to train in your country?It’s absolutely possible to train properly here. We have a lot of great people, but competing in MMA is hard.What advice would you give to Norwegian girls who want to pursue MMA?I have a very simple mentality: if you want to do something, figure it out and make it happen. It doesn’t matter if there’s a lot of support or none at all. If you want it enough, you’ll find a way.That’s my philosophy. If you don’t have something, it’s just a matter of time before you get it. It’s up to you to figure out how to go from point A to point B.Women in MMA are generally still often underestimated. What do you think women bring to the sport?I think we create this perception ourselves to some extent. For me, I present myself as a feminine woman—soft and approachable on the outside—but when I step into the cage, I bring what I need to prove I can fight. I understand that women in MMA are underestimated. We’ll never be boys or guys, but that’s not my goal. I don’t care about how people view me outside the cage. I want people to look at me as a fighter. I don’t want people to watch me because I’m a woman or because of how I look. I want them to watch me because they like how I fight.Is there anything that women in MMA have to deal with that’s particularly challenging compared to men?Weight cutting in female divisions is harder. Physically, fighting isn’t something natural for women. Our bodies aren’t made for it, but we still do it.How did you get into MMA?As for how I got into the sport, I think it’s about the people. Everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve stayed because of the people I’m surrounded by. I’ve always loved the people in combat sports, and that’s why I’ve stayed.What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in your career?My biggest lesson is to trust myself more than I ever have before. I know what I’m capable of, and what I don’t know yet will come with time. The most important thing is: don’t stress. Whatever happens, happens for a reason. Your job is to work through it, learn from it, and build from it.You’re fighting right after Christmas, which is usually a time of rest and good food for most people. How do you balance the festive atmosphere with the hard training for a fight?I’m just focusing on the fight. I don’t really care about the Christmasy things. I think it’s nice, but I’m not big on traditions. Fighting is what I love, so that’s my focus.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1070"></oktfightcomponent>Does it also mean you can’t see your family that much?I love spending time with my family, and I’ll still be seeing them every day while I’m training. It’s not much different; there’ll just be more family around. It’s going to be nice.And what about New Year’s Eve, do you have any New Year’s resolutions?My resolution is to have good fights. I want my family and friends to stay safe and sound, and I want to help those around me who need it. That’s all I want for the new year.THE BEST OKTAGON CARD IN HISTORY IS HERE! OKTAGON 65 ON DECEMBER 29 IN PRAGUE – DON’T MISS IT!<okteventcomponent eventid="98"></okteventcomponent>

An outstanding OKTAGON fighter in an interview about the conditions for MMA in her home country and much more. 

BOLANDER: I WANT TO HELP LEGALIZE MMA IN NORWAY

A huge challenge awaits him soon – Prague’s O2 Arena and a showdown with local legend Karlos Vémola, who’s taken up his dangerous challenge. How is he feeling right now? We got all the answers from the fiery Will Fleury.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/cabf396c-fdf1-4cc3-ab53-dd29e1505f98/cs.1734626986351.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/6146175a-6981-4fc0-800a-f3e464a6a625/cs.1734626991326.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent>What does it mean to you personally to close out the year with a fight against someone like Vemola in front of a sold-out O2 arena? Have you thought about how a victory might impact your career and life outside the cage?Yeah, obviously it would be life-changing for me. When I signed with OKTAGON, this is exactly how I set things out in my head – take out some of the top guys in the division and then go to the Karlos fight. And I've made this happen.How do you approach a fight of this magnitude mentally? Does the size of the event or the crowd’s reaction affect your focus?I don't really care to be honest. If I'm the bad guy, great. If I'm the good guy, who cares. All I want to do is go in and create something that's like, wow, sh*t, this guy's a really good fighter. And afterwards, whether you love me or hate me, you'll be like, f*ck, he is a good fighter.What kind of reaction are you expecting from Czech fans? To be honest, what I noticed in Slovakia was that Karlos wasn't very popular. A lot of people were coming over to me telling me they hope I whoop his a**, even Czech people. Karlos has a reputation for trying to get inside his opponents’ heads. How do you handle his psychological tactics?Every fight is a mental battle as well, but I feel if your technique is good enough, it's very easy to be confident. For me, the mental preparation is also the physical preparation. If I know how you're about to move and I can predict this and I can hit you, it's pretty easy to be confident now. I can hit you and you can't hit me. This is a lot of power and I feel like with Karlos, I'm going to create that situation. That's why when we're starting to talk sh*t to each other, I can look him in the eyes and smile and say, I'm going to f*ck you up.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1076"></oktfightcomponent>Your fighting style is known for being direct and uncompromising. When you're in the cage, how much of your strategy is pre-planned versus relying on instincts and improvisation?Yeah, I think watching your opponent is huge. I think it's very important to do a lot of video work on the guy to understand how he's going to move and to understand how you're going to sequence what he does. If I give you this, how will you react? And now it's possible that on the night his reaction will be different. So it's like, okay, you're giving him two options. Is he going for A or B? And now I've learned techniques worked out from this. I think this is your job. If you're going to be a professional fighter, be professional. Do your homework beforehand. Watch the guy.Do you ever avoid over-analyzing your opponent to stay adaptable during the fight?There'll be situations like sometimes I like to enter a spar where I don't know the guy at all. And you just have to read it on the day because there will be situations in a fight where people are going to do unpredictable things. Get used to the chaos in one way, but also you can predict chaos a lot of the time. And if I know how you're going to move, I can exploit this very easily.Looking back to the very beginning, what first attracted you to MMA? What made you decide to commit to it as a career?I think the fact that I knew I would get a reward for the effort that I put into it. A fight is obviously a very tough situation mentally to enter into. I was always like, that won't bother me. I know that if I prepare properly, I can beat anybody. I always believed that. My parents were very good at instilling the belief that if you work hard enough, you can go and achieve anything.Did you fight even as a kid? I got the cr*p beaten out of me by my brothers as a kid a lot, and I felt like, well, if I'm able to stand up to them, I can stand up to anyone because they were so much bigger and older than me. I had that thing of, no, I can keep standing up to these challenges. That belief made me want to pursue MMA.Do you remember your very first MMA training session? What was it like, and how did it influence your decision to keep pursuing the sport?I actually do remember my first training. It's a long time since I thought about this, but it was me and an Algerian guy beating the sh*t out of each other. I loved it. I was really nervous before we started fighting. It wasn't hard sparring or anything; it was just wrestling, but we were so emotional about winning this wrestling thing. He was a really tough guy, obviously, and I was a rugby player, so I was a big, strong guy.How did it turn out?The coach got the two of us to do a couple of rounds at the end of the session. Technique-wise, it was terrible. But from a competition point of view, it was like, right, I want to be the guy. I want to be the man here, and he wanted to be the man really badly. We went for about 15 minutes, just killing each other. Eventually, he got tired, and I won.Your background includes rugby. Do you think the skills or mentality you developed in rugby helped you transition into MMA?It helped in a lot of ways. A double-leg takedown is very similar to a rugby tackle, and the timing and physicality came naturally to me. In rugby, you’re used to collisions with people running toward you, so I wasn’t afraid of hard hits. That mindset carried over to MMA.Do you feel rugby gave you any mental edge when it comes to handling pressure and competition in MMA?Rugby taught me about competition and failure. You try, you fail, and you learn. That mindset carried over to MMA. In rugby, failures aren’t as personal because it’s a team sport, but in MMA, it’s all on you. That’s challenging, but also satisfying because it means you’re in control.What have been the toughest moments of your career so far, and how have they shaped you as a fighter and a person?I’ve had a lot of tough times in this career. Early on, after my pro debut, a Portuguese fighter was killed in Ireland, and MMA was effectively banned. It was very difficult to get my second fight. I had a lot of opponents lined up, and they would pull out, or the shows would be canceled because of insurance purposes. It was very difficult during that period, and I wasn’t making much money. I questioned a lot if I could make this a sustainable career. Was it worth the investment of my time and energy? But I kept going. I was undefeated as an amateur and a pro at the time, and getting signed to Bellator was a big moment for me.What lessons did you learn from your first professional loss, and how did it impact your approach?In my first loss, I overlooked my opponent. He was 6-0 with six knockouts, but because he was a last-minute replacement, I dismissed him. I thought I’d smash him, and that cocky attitude hurt me. I got knocked out in the first round. It was a huge lesson in humility and preparation. That loss, and the ones that followed, taught me to respect every opponent. Without those tough moments, I wouldn’t be as good a fighter today.How do you mentally recover from a tough loss, and what keeps you motivated to improve and move forward?Losses expose you to reality. The more you try to protect yourself from failure, the less you’ll grow. It still bothers me when I think about those moments, but that pain drives me to improve. I’m grateful for those challenges because they shaped who I am as a fighter.What goes through your mind in the final moments before walking out to the cage? Are you nervous, calm, or something else entirely?At that point, I’m actually quite calm. Everything feels mellow and blank because all the work has been done. It’s time to let go and enjoy the moment.How do you mentally prepare for the intensity of the walkout and the fight itself? I love my walkouts. The energy from the crowd, the buzz—it’s amazing. In the warm-up, I get pumped up and feel that nervous energy. But when it’s time to walk out, I find a sense of peace. I've seen it so many times in my own head, and I've visualised the whole thing. It feels like I’m watching myself from the outside. Let your brain take the backseat for a second, just go and be primal Will, and let that guy take over. Will f*cking Fleury, the fighter, he's gonna go in and do his work now. So it's a funny feeling, but I really, really enjoy the intensity of those moments.Do you have any role models, either in sports or outside of it, who inspire you in your approach to life and fighting?Growing up, I admired Irish rugby players like Paul O’Connell and Ronan O’Gara. They were stoic and embraced challenges. As I got older, my focus shifted to becoming my own role model. I hold myself accountable to the person I want to be.If young Will Fleury could meet you now, what do you think he’d say? And if you could give him advice, what would you tell him?I think young Will would be proud overall, though he might disagree with some of my choices. If I could give him advice, I’d tell him not to fear failure. Embrace challenges and take risks because that’s how you grow.Finally, if someone who’s never seen you fight asks, "Why should I watch Will Fleury in the cage?"—what would you say?Because I give everything I have. I fight with intensity and heart, always looking to finish. Love me or hate me, you won’t forget me.<okteventcomponent eventid="98"></okteventcomponent>

Will Fleury opens up about his beginnings and his journey as a fighter in this exclusive interview.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH FLEURY: LOVE ME OR HATE ME, YOU WON’T FORGET ME! 

The organization recently welcomed Brazilian sensation Igor Severino, a fighter whose arrival has stirred excitement across the MMA world. Boasting an impressive 8-1-0 record, Severino is stepping into the OKTAGON cage fresh off a stint in the UFC, where he earned his spot through the prestigious Dana White’s Contender Series.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/b06a0e26-a7bd-4ddb-9fd5-30b2ae9f1b5d/cs.1734542060582.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/bb6155e6-0151-4a2b-80ea-e49248a31fc8/cs.1734542066268.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>THE CONTROVERSIAL LOSS THAT WENT VIRAL</h2>Severino has only tasted defeat once in his career—and it made headlines worldwide. His sole loss came in the UFC due to a disqualification for biting his opponent. But those days are behind him, and now he’s ready to sink his teeth into his competition in a whole new way.<h2>"THE SOONER, THE BETTER"</h2>When Severino signed with OKTAGON, he wasted no time expressing his readiness to fight. "The sooner, the better. I’ve heard there’s a tournament at the end of December, and I’ll be ready for it," he said confidently. True to his word, he’s set to make his debut on December 29. And that's not the only gift he’s unwrapping this holiday season.<h2>SHARK ON THE CHRISTMAS MENU</h2><oktfightcomponent fightid="1085"></oktfightcomponent>For the holidays, Severino has lined up a clash against none other than Jonas Mågård, a former bantamweight champion and the current top contender in the division. Mågård was quick to take notice of the UFC recruit and had a few choice words. "The Shark talks a lot online—let’s see if he can back it up in the cage," Mågård declared. Severino fired back, and now the two are set to meet in front of a packed O2 arena in Prague.Severino isn’t just here to make an appearance—he’s here to make history. "Get ready for an aggressive style, whether it’s striking or grappling. I never leave my fights to the judges, and I don’t plan to start now," he said. His track record backs it up: at just 21 years old, he’s finished all 8 of his wins before the final bell, evenly split between knockouts and submissions.<h2>FLEXIBLE AND FEARLESS: BRING ON THE CHALLENGES</h2>Weight classes? Not a problem for this Brazilian powerhouse. "I’m ready for anything. Most of my fights have been in flyweight, but I’m open to bantamweight—and I’ll start by taking out Jonas, since he talks so much," he teased. True to his word, his debut will be in the bantamweight division. But don’t be surprised if Severino makes waves in flyweight, too. Could OKTAGON be looking at its next double champion?MÅGÅRD VS. SEVERINO IN THE O2 ARENA – Don’t miss the unforgettable OKTAGON 65 card!<okteventcomponent eventid="98"></okteventcomponent>

OKTAGON has a new star on the rise, and he's ready to shake things up!

SEVERINO IS HERE: UFC RECRUIT SET TO CLASH WITH "THE SHARK"

Take a look at the scorecards from OKTAGON 64 and revisit an action-packed evening through the eyes of those who decide the winners and losers.<h2>BRITO VS. SURDU</h2>There’s not much to see on the scorecards here, but you can relive the stunning KO that crowned Ion Surdu as the welterweight king!<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1075" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>POPPECK VS. STRZELCZYK</h2>These results are surely tough to swallow for both fans and judges, who had to record them. As you can see, despite the heated discussions at the press conference, it was the knee strike to the opponent's head that ultimately decided the fight.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1029" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>HOLZER VS. BLACK-DELL</h2>From the start, it was clear who had the upper hand. Max Holzer defended his perfect record with a decision victory.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1084" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>VESPAZIANI VS. HERZBERG</h2>As evident from the scoring, even if Vespaziani hadn’t finished his opponent in the second round, the fight was going in his favor from the outset.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1068" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>DEIGA-SCHECK VS. DOHNAL</h2>The same applied to Dohnal, who was deemed superior by all judges in both rounds, sealing his victory with a submission in the final round.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1030" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>CORDERO VS. TABURCEANU</h2>Not only a beautiful submission but also an impressive time of 1:00 in the first round – this scorecard deserves a spot in a frame!After carefully scoring the opening bout, the judges had a brief break from tallying points. Both Aksu and Bartl secured their wins quickly and decisively!<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1074" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>AKSU VS. MALACH</h2><oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1064" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>BARTL VS. BRAJSHORI</h2><oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1044" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>STANOVSKÝ VS.DURIC</h2>The evening kicked off with a fight where the judges unanimously agreed on the result across all three rounds.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1046" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent>

How do the judges see the fight? Here’s a detailed breakdown of the scoring from Munich!

OKTAGON 64 THROUGH THE EYES OF THE JUDGES: SCORECARDS FROM ALL FIGHTS

A fantastic crowning of the new Welter king, shocking stories in heavyweight fights, an unfortunate end for Poppeck, excellent performances by Holzer, Vespaziani, Cordero, and Duric, as well as surprises in the Aksu vs. Malach fight and a crucial victory for Dohnal.Check out the results of all the fights from the dramatic OKTAGON 64:<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/f4d7814e-037c-482d-8b56-bbc8a2427bb2/cs.1733609580848.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/a343924a-e042-4063-b5ff-66c958692312/cs.1733609587856.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>TIPSPORT PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT: BRITO VS. SURDU</h2>Perhaps the craziest OKTAGON night in history couldn’t have had a better conclusion, leaving the audience with a much-improved mood after everything that had happened. Brito seemed dangerous—after all, he’s one of the most experienced fighters in the organization—but Surdu waited for his moment. With incredible precision and confidence, he finished his opponent with a phenomenal KO, landing a left high kick at 2:35. The Welterweight division has a new king, who also earned the Performance of the Night bonus. Dracula’s hard work has brought him to the top, and he even expressed interest in facing Eckerlin.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1075"></oktfightcomponent><h2>POPPECK VS. STRZELCZYK</h2>Another quick fight of the night, though certainly not in the way anyone would have hoped. Both fighters fired up the arena to the max, and we were expecting top-notch performances. But MMA is an unpredictable sport, as was proven several times tonight. Although Poppeck started strong in the first round, he suddenly threw an illegal knee, and instead of a heated bout, we got a No Contest after Strzelczyk understandably refused to continue. As Poppeck said, along with his apology to the home crowd—it happened.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1029"></oktfightcomponent><h2>HOLZER VS. BLACK-DELL</h2>The flawless Holzer keeps rolling, though credit must be given to Black-Dell for standing up to him courageously and even leaving him with a decent shiner under his eye in the first round. But from then on, the confident Holzer took over all three rounds, demonstrating exceptional maturity for his 22 years. Black-Dell defended himself bravely and with honor but couldn’t do anything against the overwhelming talent of the German superstar. Holzer knows the value of his 10th consecutive career victory and settled for a dominant decision win after missing a few finishing opportunities.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1084"></oktfightcomponent><h2>VESPAZIANI VS. HERZBERG</h2>The heavyweights certainly shook up the night, but in the cage, it came down to the debuting Vespaziani and his more experienced, curly-haired opponent. It started cautiously, with the first round being a grappling contest where Vespaziani focused on technical attempts. But in the second round, he decided enough engineering—he went after Herzberg with relentless strikes, leaving his stunned opponent no chance to recover. It took nearly three minutes before the referee decided Herzberg had taken enough. A dominant debut!<oktfightcomponent fightid="1068"></oktfightcomponent><h2>DEIGA-SCHECK VS. DOHNAL</h2>Neither of the experienced fighters wanted to leave it to the judges, who hadn’t been getting much work tonight. Still, Deiga-Scheck and Dohnal kept us on edge until the third round. The injured right knee of the Munich-trained Brazilian played a significant role, limiting his ability to execute big moves. Even Dohnal avoided targeting the barely functioning leg. Deiga-Scheck showcased his boxing skills, but Dohnal was ahead on points. After the second round, it was unclear whether the injured knee could withstand further action, but the final five minutes proceeded. Finally, Dohnal seized the moment with an excellent ground-and-pound sequence leading to a choke, earning him a crucial career win. An emotional Deiga-Scheck left one glove in the cage, hinting at his uncertain future and promising to undergo surgery soon.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1030"></oktfightcomponent><h2>CORDERO VS. TABURCEANU</h2>No slowing down here! Anyone who took a break during this fight made a mistake. Two renowned finishers didn’t disappoint, especially Cordero, who surprised with his technique, finishing his opponent in under a minute. Taburceanu thought he could surprise the renowned striker by taking him to the ground immediately, but Cordero wasted no time, capitalizing on his opponent’s poorly positioned arm to secure a kimura. Quick and furious—Cordero’s fourth unique finish in Germany!<oktfightcomponent fightid="1074"></oktfightcomponent><h2>AKSU VS. MALACH</h2>The pace kept rising with the third fight of the evening. The long-anticipated clash between Aksu and Malach had been delayed for quite some time, and Malach even celebrated yesterday’s staredown by launching confetti. But his enthusiasm quickly faded in the cage. Whether his game plan was overly ambitious or simply uncalculated, Malach’s tactics backfired right away. He overextended, giving up his back to Aksu, who secured dominance and eventually choked him out with a textbook Rear Naked Choke shortly after the three-minute mark of the first round.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1064"></oktfightcomponent><h2>BARTL VS. BRAJSHORI</h2>Done in under three minutes! Bartl brings home an important victory for the Czech Republic in the first round. While Brajshori has great passion for MMA, tonight he showed that he still has a lot to learn as Bartl’s experience overwhelmed him. Bartl started aggressively and, despite a brief stumble, demonstrated his grappling skills—Brajshori essentially walked into a triangle choke, and at 2:57, the winner was clear.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1044"></oktfightcomponent><h2>STANOVSKÝ VS. DURIC</h2>Both fighters lost their original opponents but stepped up against each other without hesitation. While Stanovský was a star at home in Brno, he struggled on hostile ground. Duric dominated both in striking and on the ground, easily fending off weak takedown attempts and landing powerful kicks and elbows. His overwhelming performance earned him an undisputed decision victory, keeping his record flawless at 6-0!<oktfightcomponent fightid="1046"></oktfightcomponent>

A night we won’t soon forget. OKTAGON in Munich delivered so many unexpected moments that the hearts of fans truly took a beating. Dive into the detailed results, fight by fight.

RESULTS OF OKTAGON 64: THE CRAZIEST TOURNAMENT IN HISTORY?!

It all kicks off tomorrow! The stacked card of Munich's OKTAGON 64 promises fantastic matchups, including two title fights. Let’s take a look at what’s in store.<okteventcomponent eventid="100"></okteventcomponent><h2>MOEIL VS. TODEV</h2>A spectacular heavyweight title fight promises one thing: an intense showdown that goes beyond the cage! These two have clashed over the belt once before, and it was dramatic—Moeil took a decision victory, but fans and Todev were left upset and protesting. Now, Todev has earned another shot at the belt, and their fiery staredown in Frankfurt guarantees a duel full of animosity. Ranked #73 in the world, Moeil has been undefeated for nearly 7 years with 11 consecutive wins. Todev, meanwhile, has been flawless since 2018, except for one loss—the very one he’s coming to Munich to avenge.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1028"></oktfightcomponent><h2>BRITO VS. SURDU</h2>The welterweight throne is vacant—who will claim it? Kaik Brito returns to OKTAGON after two years as its last champion. After his stunning victory over Kozma, ending his four-year reign as welterweight king, Brito set his sights on the UFC but is now back. With 17 wins, all finishes, and most in under two minutes, he’s a force to be reckoned with. Opposing him is the surging Dracula Surdu, who erased Kozma in front of a packed Eden Arena, earning a bonus and proving his top form. Who will become the new champion?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1075"></oktfightcomponent><h2>POPPECK VS. STRZELCZYK</h2>Everything has changed! But one thing is certain – the #2 light heavyweight Poppeck will have to defend his hometown of Munich despite a sudden change in opponent. Last time, he showed excellent form in his fight against Kimball; will he deliver another flawless performance? His new opponent is no stranger to last-minute changes – in 2022, he fought two bouts in two different organizations within 24 hours. He won both, even claiming a belt from a Polish organization in one of them. In OKTAGON, he has already faced some of the biggest names in the cage. Will he threaten Poppeck’s Munich pride?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1029"></oktfightcomponent><h2>HOLZER VS. BLACK-DELL</h2>Mention Max Holzer, and fans immediately smile! The charismatic fighter entered OKTAGON undefeated and has defended that record three times, with a flawless 9-0, including 8 wins by finish. His precise performance follows his show-stopping entrances, making him one of Germany's brightest talents. Enter Eugen Black-Dell, a former champion in a German organization, making his OKTAGON debut in style. Will he hand Holzer his first career loss?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1084"></oktfightcomponent><h2>VESPAZIANI VS. HERZBERG</h2>Towering at two meters tall, Patrick Vespaziani makes his OKTAGON debut, aiming to shake up the heavyweight division. But it won’t be easy—Herzberg hasn’t lost a fight in nearly six years and is determined to keep that streak alive. This matchup could introduce a new contender to an already dramatic division.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1068"></oktfightcomponent><h2>DEIGA-SCHECK VS. DOHNAL</h2>Deiga-Scheck joined OKTAGON almost by accident, but his exit will be anything but—especially since he’s fighting in his hometown, representing Munich Top Team. Armed with Muay Thai and K-1 titles, a black belt in BJJ, and a submission specialist reputation, he’s a dangerous opponent. On the other hand, Jakub Dohnal doesn’t shy away from seasoned adversaries, as proven in his epic clash with Buchinger. With over 250 fights across six disciplines and nearly a decade as an MMA pro, can he handle the pressure of a hostile crowd?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1030"></oktfightcomponent><h2>CORDERO VS. TABURCEANU</h2>Don’t blink—two lightning-fast finishers are entering the cage! Cordero made his mark in OKTAGON with stoppages at 22, 37, and 67 seconds, showing that he wastes no time. Facing him is Moldovan phenomenon Taburceanu, who has never won by decision. With a trail of fallen opponents, this fight will determine who’s one of the organization’s most feared finishers.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1074"></oktfightcomponent><h2>AKSU VS. MALACH</h2>Aksu knows how victory tastes—he’s a two-time champion in Austrian organizations with all 11 wins by finish. Now, he’s set his sights on OKTAGON veteran Jan Malach, the "King of the North," who trains under Reinders MMA and brings over 30 MMA fights and 80 kickboxing bouts to the table.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1064"></oktfightcomponent><h2>BARTL VS. BRAJSHORI</h2>Bartl knows the OKTAGON cage like the back of his hand, having faced names like Kozma, Malach, and Ryšavý, with 10 out of 12 wins coming by finish. Meanwhile, Brajshori offers a fresh perspective—an incredibly dedicated fighter whose passion for MMA is evident in his performances, including stoppages at 22 and 29 seconds. Will experience or raw determination prevail?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1044"></oktfightcomponent><h2>STANOVSKÝ VS. DURIC</h2>With both fighters losing their original opponents, they’ve been paired up for an unexpected clash. Jan Stanovský made an impressive debut in Brno and now faces a trial by fire, as the Munich crowd will likely side with his opponent. That opponent, Duric, has flawless stats: 6 fights, 6 wins, 5 finishes. Can the Czech contender withstand the pressure?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1046"></oktfightcomponent>Don’t miss OKTAGON 64 this Saturday! MOEIL vs. TODEV, SURDU vs. BRITO, and much more!

Concise, clear, and comprehensive: what will Saturday’s OKTAGON 64 in Munich bring? Check out the full card and stay in the loop.

YOUR GUIDE: OKTAGON 64, FIGHT BY FIGHT

This Saturday, we’re in for an action-packed OKTAGON 64, with a card promising fantastic fights, including two title bouts featuring the top contenders in the heavyweight and welterweight divisions. With these facts, you’ll impress your friends whether you’re watching live or from home via PPV!<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/2fa6049b-2772-4b5f-b37e-71d45be04f0e/cs.1733412497370.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/d5e646b5-5c80-42ff-b253-d15a34a75658/cs.1733412503072.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>DON’T EVEN TRY THIS ON THEM</h2>Which fighters are immune to certain finishes?Moeil, Brito, and Deiga-Scheck have never been defeated via submission.Todev has never lost by KO or TKO!<h2>MUNICH BRINGS THEM LUCK</h2>OKTAGON has only been to Munich once before, and three fighters are making their return to the German city. It’s no wonder they’re excited—last time, Moeil, Poppeck, and Bartl all walked away with victories.<h2>MASTERS OF THEIR CRAFT</h2>Here are some unique records and remarkable stats from the fighters you can look forward to on Saturday.<ul><li>&nbsp;Moeil has been undefeated for 6 years and 7 months, and according to Fight Matrix and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/mma_statistix/#">@mma_statistix</a>, he’s the 3rd best German fighter in OKTAGON (after Dalisda and Engizek).</li><li>&nbsp;Herzberg is on a winning streak of nearly 6 years.</li><li>&nbsp;Kaik Brito is a record-breaker, having been the first in OKTAGON to defeat Kozma, ending his 10-fight win streak and his four-year reign as champion. Brito also boasts a 100% finish rate in all 17 of his wins—only a few of his fights reached the second or third round.</li><li>&nbsp;In this regard, he’s much like Moldovan fighter Taburceanu, who has never fought in the third round in his entire career!</li><li>&nbsp;When it comes to takedowns, Surdu has successfully defended every single takedown attempt against him.</li></ul><h2>BONUS? YES, PLEASE!</h2>Let’s not forget the bonus hunters—this card wouldn’t be complete without them. Brito has two bonuses to his name, Surdu owns one. It’s clear they’ll be looking to expand their collections.<h2>THE INSTAGRAM DIVISION</h2>Now, something outside the cage. Who’s winning the social media battle? Moeil is one of the most-followed German stars in OKTAGON, with over half a million followers.And here’s a surprise: Brajshori might only have a few thousand followers on Instagram, but he’s backed by rapper Capital T, who boasts over one million followers!OKTAGON 64 IS PACKED AND READY FOR SATURDAY! MOEIL vs. TODEV, SURDU vs. BRITO, and the Czech crew in action. Don’t miss it!<okteventcomponent eventid="100"></okteventcomponent>

We bet you didn’t know this about Saturday’s card.

6 YEARS UNDEFEATED OR A CAREER WITHOUT A THIRD ROUND: THE BEST FACTS ABOUT OKTAGON 64!

Fans love him, and he knows it. Max Holzer delivers one great show after another, both in the cage and outside of it. He didn’t hesitate to accept a spot on the Munich card, so we’ll see him in action in just a few days at OKTAGON 64. How does Holzer feel heading into another fight?<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/5fe6d1cb-064b-446a-b0f6-e17c7f656ae2/cs.1733324631904.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/754d20b2-c4d7-4c99-b318-d5350df68f6b/cs.1733324649987.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent>You’re undefeated so far. What’s the key to such success?I try to get better with every fight. Learn new things and fix all the mistakes from the previous bout.How do you feel about the thought of losing? Does it create too much pressure?The day you lose will come eventually. I’ve lost many times—in training and in life. Of course, I don’t wish to lose, but if it happens, it won’t break me.When you started MMA, did you ever imagine you’d reach this level?At the beginning, I didn’t even think I’d be able to compete, let alone win anything. But I stuck with it, and it turned out great. Now, I firmly believe in my success.What happens when things don’t go according to plan in the cage? How do you respond?During a fight, I always keep a clear head. I don’t have a specific plan—everything happens too fast. I have a rough idea of how things might go, but I’m the type who loves to improvise. I’m used to tough situations in life, and I have no problem proving myself in the cage.What does your mental preparation look like?I clear my head, embrace challenging situations, and don’t let fear or nervousness hold me back. On the contrary—I use them to stay focused and alert.And what about your physical preparation? What does a day in the life of Max Holzer before a fight look like?My day includes two training sessions and a strict diet. I also coach youth and sometimes give private lessons. In between, I focus on recovery and finding ways to improve in the sport.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1084"></oktfightcomponent>What is your team in Hanover like?They’re like my family. My coach has always been a great role model for me and helps me whenever I need it, with anything.What is your main focus in training right now?Primarily on areas where I still need improvement. The training is tough, but we’re careful to avoid injuries.We can’t avoid asking about your unique walkouts. Where do you get your inspiration? And what can we expect in Munich?My walkouts are always tailored to my opponent—it’s my way of keeping things lighthearted, entertaining the fans, and leaving a lasting impression. But I’m not giving away my next plan—you’ll have to wait and see!Where do you see yourself in five years? Do you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve in MMA?I want to compete at the highest level and make a living through the sport. After my professional career, I’d like to continue coaching and perhaps make a name for myself in the entertainment industry.And what about life outside the cage? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?Mostly, I’m recovering from training or working on my personal marketing. I love spending time with my younger brother, going for walks, playing chess, and I’ll never say no to a good comedy!What do your loved ones think about your fighting career? Do they come to support you?My entire family and all my friends support me—they watch my fights, and if they can, they come to see them live. They’ve all gotten pretty into MMA.Is there a life experience that shaped who you are today? Something that influenced you not just as a fighter but as a person?My entire sports career has been full of obstacles, and in my personal life, I’ve always had to fight as well. But what really opened my eyes was traveling—it made me realize how good we have it here and how privileged I am to have this career and spend my time doing something I love.Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans to close this interview?I’m incredibly grateful for all the support, no matter where you’re from. You mean the world to me, and I’m committed to winning and putting on great shows for everyone who believes in me.HOLZER AT OKTAGON 64 THIS SATURDAY NIGHT—DON’T MISS IT!<okteventcomponent eventid="100"></okteventcomponent>

A funny guy and a flawless fighter who enjoys playing chess in his free time. Read the full interview with Max Holzer, one of OKTAGON’s brightest prospects.

HOLZER: I HAVE NO PLAN IN THE CAGE. I NEVER THOUGHT I’D COMPETE

Kaik Brito made a lasting mark in OKTAGON's yellow-and-black history. Let’s revisit who Ion Surdu will face in the upcoming bout!<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/33da66e2-1f57-4501-80b9-c2f148267245/cs.1733156261616.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/8f7ff2b8-36b9-421d-95d6-009aeca481c8/cs.1733156267094.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>NO DECISIONS NEEDED</h2>Kaik's stats speak for themselves! Out of 17 victories, he has finished all his opponents before the final bell—an incredible feat!💥 14 wins by TKO🛑 3 wins by submission🏆 2-time Performance of the Night bonus winnerAnd here’s more: Kaik Brito has never lost by submission. On the ground, he maintains absolute control—a testament to his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).<h2>FAST AND FURIOUS</h2>If you’re planning to watch Brito’s fight, don’t blink—you might miss it!He’s taken out 11 opponents in the first round, with 7 of them succumbing in under two minutes.Among those finished within 100 seconds are fighters like Kalašnik and Bryczeck.Brito holds the 4th, 5th, and 6th fastest TKOs among active welterweights in OKTAGON.<h2>TO THE TOP</h2>Kaik was born in Brazil and started training in martial arts at the age of 14. After years of hard work, he became an elite fighter with exceptional skills both on the ground and in striking.From the moment he entered OKTAGON, it was clear he was destined for greatness.One standout performance after another led to the pinnacle of his career at OKTAGON 37 in Ostrava, where he defeated the legendary David Kozma.Kozma, who had ruled the welterweight division for over four years with six title defenses, posed an enormous challenge. But Kaik pulled off the unthinkable—he dethroned the "Pink Panther" to become the new champion.<h2>EYES ON THE UFC</h2>Brito wasn’t content to stop there. After winning the welterweight title, he participated in Dana White’s Contender Series, aiming for a UFC contract.For this opportunity, he even gave up participating in the Tipsport Gamechanger, where he was a favorite, and relinquished his hard-earned OKTAGON title.Although things didn’t go as planned in the U.S., Brito says he has no regrets and returns stronger from the experience.<h2>THE BIG RETURN</h2>It’s no surprise that the announcement of Brito’s return—one of OKTAGON’s best fighters—caused a storm. With his title stripped, fans speculated about who would compete for the belt left in front of Ion Surdu. The answer? None other than the division’s last champion himself!In what condition will Brito return? Can he dominate the division once more? Or will Dracula Surdu drain the life out of him?WITNESS THE TITLE SHOWDOWN: BRITO VS. SURDU! COMING SOON AT OKTAGON 64.<okteventcomponent eventid="100"></okteventcomponent>