The OKTAGON debut in a sold-out Dortmund arena is fast approaching. What can we expect? Go through the card fight by fight and pick your favorites!

HOLZER vs ILBAY

A clash of generations that will shake up German MMA. Rising star Max Holzer has been tearing through the division with ease. Just last year, he notched up 4 wins, dominating opponents on the ground. But now his stand-up will be tested by the feared Denis Ilbay. “El Pistolero” has finished his last three opponents via TKO and is looking to humble the 7-year-younger Max. Expect a thrilling battle of experience versus youth and contrasting styles. The winner will be knocking on the door of a title shot—and you don’t want to miss it!

SCHÜDER vs TASCI

Uwe Schüder and Ediz Tasci are out to prove they’re more than just typical fitness influencers—their hearts beat for the fight. Together, they are followed by millions of fans on social media who will be pushing them forward tomorrow. While this will be Uwe’s third professional MMA fight, his opponent steps into the cage for the first time. Still, as a former bodybuilder and wrestler, Tasci has plenty of experience with grueling prep. Who will win the battle of German internet stars, and who will the Dortmund crowd rally behind?

TAHA vs ZARAUZ

One of the most anticipated comebacks for the German audience—Khalid Taha is finally back! A veteran of the UFC and Rizin and one of Germany’s most respected fighters, Taha enters OKTAGON with one goal—claim the featherweight belt. He’s already called out Max Holzer for his next fight, but first he must get past dangerous Peruvian Jose Zarauz. With 37 MMA fights under his belt—8 KOs and 5 submissions—Zarauz is riding a 3-fight win streak and plans to show Dortmund that he is the future champ.

DURIC vs BOGDANOVIC

This clash between fighters with Serbian roots promises world-class action! The 21-year-old Fedor Duric remains undefeated, with 5 of his 7 wins coming by finish. His last victory came over the surging Stanovsky, who had 5 straight wins prior. But now he faces Serbia’s #1 lightweight, Predrag Bogdanovic—the first man to defeat Nafuka before falling to Keita. Can he handle Duric’s aggressive pace? One thing is for sure—Balkan blood will be spilled in the cage.

PALOKAJ vs NOVÁK

A collision of runaway trains—that’s the best way to describe this matchup between Marco Novák and Gjoni Palokaj. Both fighters are riding impressive win streaks, but only one can keep it going. Palokaj recently defeated Ryšavý in Bratislava in enemy territory. This time, he’ll enjoy home-field advantage and enters the fight as the favorite. Marco Novák has successfully transitioned from a pure striker to a well-rounded MMA fighter and is eager to show off that growth. Whose streak will end—and who will climb the lightweight ranks?

MONTAGNAC vs VOSGRÖNE

Frederic Vosgröne might join a competition for the loudest OKTAGON entrance. Calling out a two-division champion like Fleury after just 3 MMA fights takes guts! But don’t underestimate this German BJJ champ. One of the world’s best grapplers transitioned into MMA with a bang, destroying opponents on the ground. This time, however, he faces French dynamite in the hands of Jorick Montagnac—currently ranked #6 at light heavyweight—who’s aiming for his third straight victory.

GRABINSKI vs SKRZYPEK

Marcel Mohamed Grabinski desperately needs a win to break a 4-fight losing streak. The experienced German hasn’t had a win since beating Kertész, and now it’s time to turn the tide. Meanwhile, Polish sharpshooter Karol Skrzypek hasn’t lost in over 4 years and brings a solid 11-3 record along with two championship belts from Polish promotions. Can Grabinski find the answer to end his 2-year drought?

PUDILOVÁ vs CLOUDY

The first Czech woman in the UFC needs no long intro. Once ranked #10 in the world at bantamweight, she narrowly missed out on a title but is back, hungry to earn another shot. The lioness of Czech MMA faces Brittney “The Quiet Storm” Cloudy. The American has just 11 pro MMA bouts, but she’s a multi-time amateur champion and recently defeated Veronika Smolková. Can the quiet storm silence another Czech fighter?

RYŠAVÝ vs BLACK-DELL

Few have as much OKTAGON experience as Karol “Bomby” Ryšavý—winner of OKTAGON Challenge Season 3, 4-time title contender, and fan favorite. His stars of the fights are legendary, and with 5 first-round finishes, he ranks #3 for fastest finishers. His last bout in Bratislava didn’t go his way, but expect even bigger bombs in Dortmund. His next German foe is Eugen Black-Dell, who lost a decision to Holzer in Munich. This one could be over in seconds—don’t blink!

ABY vs WALID

Aaron Aby is an inspiration to us all. He’s battled cystic fibrosis his whole life, played football alongside Gareth Bale, and beat stage-3 cancer. What would be three lifetimes for others, Aby has tackled in 35 years—and now writes his next chapter in the cage. Mohammed Walid is making his OKTAGON debut, but he’s no slouch. All 7 of his wins have come via finish, and he’ll look to live up to his “No Mercy” nickname once again.

HOŠEK vs STEFANOVIC

After 3 years, David Hošek returns to the black-and-yellow cage. With 10 finishes from 11 wins, often in the first round, fans of hard-hitting stand-up battles are in for a treat! Aleksandar Stefanovic is one big surprise. After retiring from pro MMA in 2011, the fire within reignited 12 years later, and the gritty German fighter made a stunning comeback. Now riding a 3-fight win streak, he proves it’s never too late to chase your dreams.

BRITO IS BACK! HERE’S A RECAP OF HIS INCREDIBLE CAREER

You might be interested in

OKTAGON 69 THROUGH THE EYES OF THE JUDGES: SCORECARDS FROM THE DORTMUND EVENT

TIME WITH PIRÁT: REMINDING YOU OF THE JOURNEY OF ONE OF OKTAGON'S MOST DISTINGUISHED FACES

OKTAGON 69 IS COMING: WHAT STORIES ARE BEHIND THE DORTMUND EVENT?

OKTAGON 69 RESULTS: DORTMUND ERUPTS AND SELLS OUT!

THIS APPETIZER WILL BE SUBSTANTIAL! DON’T MISS THE PRELIMS IN KARLOVY VARY