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 Barclays Arena in Hamburg is set to witness the crowning of a new king. The bantamweight division has been without a ruler for two years, but that is about to change. In a high-stakes title battle, Brazilian talent Igor Severino will clash with German finishing machine Khurshed Kakhorov, who makes his highly anticipated OKTAGON debut. What are the stories behind these two warriors, and what can you expect from this duel?<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/87d61c5c-ae48-4427-9e23-3f0b8c5dd9dc/cs.1771930220195.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/13cffad2-9cf5-4b12-aede-9d3810ca1282/cs.1771930225624.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>IGOR SEVERINO: THE BRAZILIAN "HANNIBAL" ON A MISSION</h2>At just 22 years old, Igor Severino has already proven he belongs among the world's elite. Currently ranked #79 in the world bantamweight rankings, he boasts a 9–1 record. Eight of those victories came via stoppage—four by KO/TKO and four by submission. His only professional defeat came via disqualification during his UFC debut. Ever since that moment, he has been on a relentless quest for redemption.Severino is a unique fighter who stops at nothing on his way to the top. In his OKTAGON debut, he shocked fans and experts alike by completely neutralizing the "Danish Shark" Jonas Magard, defeating him in a dominant three-round decision. At just 21 years old, he made it clear to the entire division exactly who they were dealing with. Dangerous, fast, and lethal—Severino is the prototype of a well-rounded fighter, elite both on the ground and on the feet, always hunting for the finish.Now, he returns to the cage after a two-year hiatus, during which five scheduled bouts were cancelled, only to finally land this title shot in Hamburg. This time, he has extra motivation—his brother, Matheus Severino, will compete on the same card. However, his opponent is no pushover, and Severino is likely facing the toughest test of his career. To make matters more intense, he will be fighting on his opponent's home soil with the entire arena against him.<h2>MEET THE CHALLENGER: KHURSHED KAKHOROV</h2>German fighter with Tajik roots, Khurshed Kakhorov, arrives in OKTAGON with the reputation of an uncompromising finisher. Out of his 13 career wins, an incredible 9 have come via KO/TKO. He is the first-ever PFL tournament champion to compete in OKTAGON and a former champion of the Polish organization EFM. At one point, he reached an impressive world ranking of #53. Now, he comes to claim the title of Europe's most prestigious organization to complete his collection.Kakhorov is 11 years older than his Brazilian counterpart, bringing significantly more experience and riding a five-fight winning streak. In the cage, he lives up to his "Killer" nickname, turning out his opponents' lights with ease. Flying knees, elbows, hooks—Kakhorov is a threat from any position. His only career defeat came in the closing moments of the third round against Brett Johns in Bellator four years ago.<oktinstagramcomponent url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DTfmuefjMuA/?utm_source=ig_embed"></oktinstagramcomponent><h2>A TWICE-POSTPONED SHOWDOWN WILL FINALLY HAVE A WINNER</h2>This world-class match-up has been scheduled twice before, only to fall through. Now, it finally takes place in the legendary Barclays Arena, a venue where European MMA history is written. We are looking at a clash that is unlikely to see the judges' scorecards. After a long 2 years and seven months, the bantamweight division will finally have its king back.Severino wants the belt and his honor back after the UFC disqualification. Kakhorov has the chance to showcase his skills on home turf in front of his German fans. It will be a collision of two styles, two surging fighters, and two unique legacies. But only one can leave as the new champion.OKTAGON 85 is fast approaching. On March 7th, the organization returns to Hamburg to crown the new bantamweight king. The card also features the "King of Germany" Christian Eckerlin, Matouš Kohout, Denis Frimpong, and Raul Lemberanskij—all set within the electric atmosphere of the Barclays Arena. Don’t miss out. Click the link below and get your PPV today!<okteventcomponent eventid="128"></okteventcomponent>

The Barclays Arena in Hamburg is set to witness the crowning of a new king. The bantamweight division has been without a ruler for two years, but that is about to change. In a high-stakes title battle, Brazilian talent Igor Severino will clash with German finishing machine Khurshed Kakhorov, who makes his highly anticipated OKTAGON debut.

BANTAMWEIGHT WILL CROWN ITS CHAMPION: SEVERINO FACES GERMAN CHALLENGER KAKHOROV

OKTAGON 84 in Ostrava delivered the crowning of a familiar welterweight champion, the emotional return of David Kozma, and brutal finishes. At the same time, the card featured several closely contested fights that had to be decided by the judges. Where was it over within minutes, and where did it go all the way to the scorecards?<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/e32a911f-cb77-449a-9f93-364e3173db05/cs.1771336659677.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/66b7e924-ddd7-45c3-b9a9-192023ae221a/cs.1771336670306.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>RONALD PARADEISER vs. KAIK BRITO</h2>The judges weren’t needed here. The welterweight title was decided in a single moment. The opening two rounds delivered an even stand-up battle, but in the third round Kaik Brito landed a precise spinning backfist. Paradeiser went straight to the canvas and the referee stopped the fight. Third-round KO and Brito is champion again.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1345" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>DAVID KOZMA vs. JOZEF WITTNER</h2>Kozma returned with a clear plan – take the fight to the ground and control the tempo. In every round, he brought Wittner down, drained his energy, and piled up points. He avoided wild stand-up exchanges, and the patient approach paid off. After three rounds, a unanimous decision win for “The Pink Panther.”<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1297" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>TOMÁŠ MUDROCH vs. FEDOR DURIĆ</h2>This one didn’t go to the scorecards. From the opening seconds, Durić shut down Mudroch’s explosive striking and took the fight to the mat. In the second round, he unleashed heavy ground-and-pound, forcing the referee to step in. TKO for Durić and Mudroch’s first stoppage loss of his career.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1323" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>JAKUB BATFALSKÝ vs. EUGEN BLACK-DELL</h2>An entertaining striking battle. Batfalský was the more active fighter throughout, making good use of his height advantage and stiff jab. Although he weathered a dangerous storm of elbows from Black-Dell in the third round, the key moments belonged to him. After three rounds, Batfalský took the decision win.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1312" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>MATĚJ KUZNÍK vs. HAFENI NAFUKA</h2>No need for the judges here either. The clash of two grapplers quickly hit the mat, where Nafuka had the edge. With just six seconds left in the second round, he locked in a submission to finish the fight. A crucial win for the “Namibian Nightmare.”<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1336" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>JAN ŠIROKÝ vs. FRANTIŠEK FODOR</h2>A veterans’ war that went to the scorecards. Fodor had the upper hand in the early stages and came close to finishing the fight, but Široký survived the critical moments and even began to take over late in the bout. The opening rounds proved decisive, and the judges awarded the win to Fodor.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1341" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>VÁCLAV KLIMŠA vs. BRAJAN PRZYSIWEK</h2>Here too, the judges had the final say. Przysiwek was more active, faster, and more accurate throughout, mixing explosive entries with well-timed takedowns. Klimša couldn’t find his rhythm, and after three rounds the scorecards clearly favored the Polish fighter.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1382" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>PETR BARTONĚK vs. ENDRIT BRAJSHORI</h2>Brajshori exploded into the fight from the opening second, landing a heavy hook and then securing a first-round submission. A lightning-fast finish and a clear message to the division.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1339" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>LUKÁŠ ZÁVIČÁK vs. DANIEL SCHORDJE</h2>A razor-close fight in which the judges had their toughest task of the night. Závičák allowed himself to be pressured against the fence while relying on heavy boxing, while Schordje stayed constantly active and applied pressure. Three very close rounds ended in a split decision win for the Austrian fighter.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1387" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>ADAM HAVRAN vs. OSKAR STASZCZAK</h2>A fight that went the distance. Havran had a promising start and came close to a submission, but from the second round on Staszczak took control. He clearly won rounds two and three, earning a decision victory in his OKTAGON debut.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1372" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent>Kaik Brito reclaimed the welterweight throne, David Kozma celebrated a crucial return to the win column, and Ostrava witnessed a mix of brutal finishes and razor-thin battles decided by the smallest details. The next OKTAGON stop is just around the corner – OKTAGON 85 in Hamburg. Don’t miss the next big moments – secure your PPV and watch it live.<okteventcomponent eventid="128"></okteventcomponent>

OKTAGON 84 in Ostrava delivered the crowning of a familiar welterweight champion, the emotional return of David Kozma, and brutal finishes. At the same time, the card featured several closely contested fights that had to be decided by the judges.

OKTAGON 84 THROUGH THE JUDGES’ EYES: TIGHT BATTLES AND UNEXPECTED RESULTS

The first home event of 2026 crowned a familiar name as the welterweight champion once again – Kaik Brito. David Kozma celebrated a victorious comeback together with a sold-out Ostravar Arena after a difficult period in his career. Check out the results of OKTAGON 84, a night that delivered plenty of surprises.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/8e119ca5-9b11-46b0-8bb2-5491e76ed4cb/cs.1771152078169.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/bdc09fa3-6083-44d1-aca6-ba8a40bacbf1/cs.1771152083790.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>RONALD PARADEISER vs. KAIK BRITO</h2>The welterweight division has a new champion. Kaik Brito reclaimed the throne after finishing Rony Paradeiser in the third round. The opening two rounds were closely contested, with both fighters landing clean shots. Kaik attempted spinning strikes several times, but it was in the third round that he landed one perfectly. A sharp spinning elbow sent Paradeiser straight to the canvas, forcing the referee to step in immediately. Brito recorded another KO victory and regained the championship belt.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1345"></oktfightcomponent><h2>DAVID KOZMA vs. JOZEF WITTNER</h2>“The Pink Panther” is back! The Ostrava crowd got what they came for as David Kozma snapped his losing streak with a crucial victory over Jozef Wittner. Kozma committed to a clear strategy – taking the fight to the ground. He avoided wild exchanges on the feet and systematically drained his opponent’s energy. In every round he secured dominant positions and ultimately earned a unanimous decision win. Who will the fans’ favorite Kozma face next?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1297"></oktfightcomponent><h2>TOMÁŠ MUDROCH vs. FEDOR DURIĆ</h2>Fedor Durić put on an incredible one-man show. He gave Mudroch no chance to get his dangerous striking going. He quickly took the fight to the ground in both the first and second rounds. Mudroch tried to escape bad positions, but Durić was quicker in transitions. In the second round, he unleashed heavy ground-and-pound, forcing the referee to stop the fight. Durić secured a fantastic TKO victory.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1323"></oktfightcomponent><h2>JAKUB BATFALSKÝ vs. EUGEN BLACK-DELL</h2>A beautiful stand-up battle that went all the way to the judges’ scorecards. The first hometown fighter to celebrate a win was young Jakub Batfalský. Fans enjoyed an entertaining striking duel in which both men took heavy shots. “Batfal” used his height advantage brilliantly, with his stiff jab causing major problems for his opponent. Although he ran into trouble in the third round and absorbed sharp elbows from Black-Dell, he weathered the storm and secured a decision win, once again confirming his status as one of the brightest talents on the domestic scene.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1312"></oktfightcomponent><h2>MATĚJ KUZNÍK vs. HAFENI NAFUKA</h2>Kuzník vs. Nafuka delivered an intriguing clash of two grapplers. It didn’t take long for the fight to hit the mat. Both fighters showcased impressive grappling skills and experience in the exchanges, but Nafuka had the edge. The “Namibian Nightmare” finished the fight by submission just six seconds before the end of the second round, earning a crucial victory.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1336"></oktfightcomponent><h2>PRELIMS</h2><h2>JAN ŠIROKÝ vs. FRANTIŠEK FODOR</h2>A battle of two seasoned veterans that went to the judges. In the first half of the fight, the Slovak brawler had the upper hand and came close to finishing the bout. Široký, however, showed incredible toughness and survived the worst moments. Toward the end of the fight, he even began to take control himself, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win. Both fighters earned huge respect for an entertaining war that had fans on their feet.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1341"></oktfightcomponent><h2>VÁCLAV KLIMŠA vs. BRAJAN PRZYSIWEK</h2>The Ostrava crowd was in for an unpleasant surprise. Fan favorite Václav Klimša entered as the clear favorite, but the fight told a different story. Przysiwek was faster, more accurate, more powerful, and more active. Klimša couldn’t cope with his explosive entries, well-timed takedowns, and relentless pressure. The tough Polish fighter cruised to a clear unanimous decision victory.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1382"></oktfightcomponent><h2>PETR BARTONĚK vs. ENDRIT BRAJSHORI</h2>That was fast! Endrit Brajshori wasted no time and went for the finish from the opening second. He first rocked Bartoněk with a heavy hook and then secured a first-round submission. This win sent a message to the entire division – Endrit Brajshori is hungry for big scalps.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1339"></oktfightcomponent><h2>LUKÁŠ ZÁVIČÁK vs. DANIEL SCHORDJE</h2>A tense battle between the experienced Závičák and Austrian prospect Schordje. Závičák chose an unusual strategy, allowing himself to be pressured against the fence while firing back with heavy boxing. Schordje maintained constant pressure, which likely tipped the judges in his favor. After three very close rounds, the fight ended in a split decision win for the Austrian fighter.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1387"></oktfightcomponent><h2>ADAM HAVRAN vs. OSKAR STASZCZAK</h2>Hometown fighter Havran started well and for a moment it looked like we might see a quick submission finish. The Pole, however, stayed composed and gradually took over. He clearly won the second and third rounds, earning a victorious debut in the yellow-and-black cage.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1372"></oktfightcomponent>The first Czech event of 2026 is in the books. In three weeks, OKTAGON returns to Germany – this time to Hamburg. OKTAGON 85 will feature a bantamweight title fight, a bout involving star fighter Eckerlin, and the dangerous Frimpong. Secure your PPV today and make sure you don’t miss this special event.<okteventcomponent eventid="128"></okteventcomponent>

The first home event of 2026 crowned a familiar name as the welterweight champion once again – Kaik Brito. David Kozma celebrated a victorious comeback together with a sold-out Ostravar Arena after a difficult period in his career.

OKTAGON 84 RESULTS: KAIK BRITO IS CHAMPION AGAIN. KOZMA RETURNS WITH A WIN

He’s only 21 years old, yet already one of the biggest talents on the German scene, and in OKTAGON he has delivered performances that prove he fears no one. Now he faces his biggest test yet – a road fight in the toughest city in the country. At OKTAGON 84 in Ostrava, he will take on the local phenomenon Tomáš Mudroch, the “Ostrava Express,” known as a machine for lightning-fast finishes. In our interview, you’ll find out how Durić views the atmosphere in the Ostravar Arena, why he isn’t afraid of size or pressure, and what he promises the fans.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/8778ee96-1f6b-40b5-8f6a-158765b2e864/cs.1771080157422.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/8a91bdf0-c265-4dff-bf85-1af3be94b33a/cs.1771080164887.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent>Hi Fedor, how are you feeling a few days before the fight, and what stage of preparation are you in right now? I feel great. Everything is done – now we’re just fine-tuning the details, keeping the pace, and most importantly staying healthy. At this stage, focus and a clear mind are key. I’m excited because Ostrava is a huge challenge.You’re fighting away from home against a local hero who will have the crowd behind him. How do you deal with that atmosphere mentally? I’m really looking forward to it. The atmosphere isn’t anything negative for me – on the contrary, it motivates me. It’s clear I’ll be fighting in his city and most of the fans will be against me. But that’s exactly the energy I want to use. I want to silence the arena and turn his fans into mine.Tomáš Mudroch is known for lightning-fast first-round finishes. What makes him such a dangerous opponent? He’s very heavy – for me, almost like a welterweight. That can be an advantage, but also a disadvantage, because a big weight cut costs strength. In the first round, he comes forward very aggressively and wants to finish quickly. That’s exactly what we prepared for. I expect we’ll meet in the middle of the cage.Does that change your game plan at all? No, it doesn’t. You have to stay focused against any opponent. I don’t see him as just a striker. I’m prepared for everything, and whatever comes, I’ll use it against him.So how are you preparing for his strengths? I focus on what he does best. My job is to turn his weapons against him and run him over. I don’t want to adapt to what he wants – I want to impose my own game.<oktinstagramcomponent url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DR7TIHBDCEa/"></oktinstagramcomponent>Where do you see your biggest advantages? In my conditioning, speed, striking, and grappling. Overall, I see myself with the edge. Size and weight alone won’t help him.Your style is very controlled and often moves the fight to the ground. How important is it to impose your own rhythm? I don’t want to rush anything. I can fight on the feet and I can fight on the ground. If an opportunity presents itself, I’ll take it. I’ll stay calm and focused – and I will impose my rhythm on him.And if the fight goes to the ground? Then we go to the ground. That’s where I clearly feel stronger.You’re only 21 and already competing regularly on big stages. What has changed mentally? I used to lack confidence, I was shy and avoided confrontation. Today, after four years of MMA, I feel mentally stronger than ever. This sport changed me. It made me a stronger person.What message do you want to send to young people who follow you? That you can achieve anything even at a young age. Age is just a number. In the end, everything is decided in the mind.A win would move you up the lightweight rankings. Does that matter to you? Right now, I’m focused only on this fight. Of course I want to be champion and beat every opponent, ideally before the limit. But at this moment, only Ostrava matters.OKTAGON is promoting this fight as one of the highlights of the night. What does that position mean to you? It’s an honor. I’ve invested my whole life in this sport. The fact that our fight is seen as a highlight makes me proud.What can the fans in Ostrava expect? No one will be disappointed. The fans will get action and fire – a big show. For Germany, for Serbia, for all my supporters. This fight will be big.OKTAGON 84 in Ostrava will feature one of the most exciting matchups of the rising generation. Mudroch at home, Durić on the road – both with a clear goal of taking the next step toward the lightweight elite. The last tickets are selling fast, so if you don’t want to miss this war live, click the link below and secure your seat in the arena today!<okteventcomponent eventid="126"></okteventcomponent>

He’s only 21 years old, yet already one of the biggest talents on the German scene, and in OKTAGON he has delivered performances that prove he fears no one. Now he faces his biggest test yet – a road fight in the toughest city in the country.

INTERVIEW WITH FEDOR DURIĆ AHEAD OF OKTAGON 84: I WANT TO SILENCE OSTRAVA AND WIN OVER ITS FANS

Only 24 hours remain until OKTAGON returns to Ostrava. The toughest city in the Czech Republic is ready for a massive adrenaline rush, and the last empty seats in the Ostravar Arena are being filled. This Valentine’s night is one fans won’t forget anytime soon. Go through the full card, fight by fight, and make sure you don’t miss a thing.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/6126d872-8eb0-4898-9d6b-d6f4d38cc4ad/cs.1771003102179.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/fdcc8378-3953-4465-9bd7-0afa3e6aa6e6/cs.1771003107226.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>RONALD PARADEISER vs. KAIK BRITO</h2>The main event of the night delivers a title fight for the vacant welterweight championship. Former lightweight king Ronald Paradeiser is chasing his second belt, but standing in his way is former divisional champion Kaik Brito. A clash of two fighters ranked in the global Top 100 promises world-class quality and very likely a finish.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1345"></oktfightcomponent><h2>DAVID KOZMA vs. JOZEF WITTNER</h2>In the co-main event, OKTAGON’s historically most dominant champion returns. David “The Pink Panther” Kozma is a five-time title defender and for many years the face of the welterweight division. After three brutal losses, he changed his gym, his approach to preparation, and his working style, and now comes to Ostrava determined to show fans “Kozma 2.0.” Across from him stands returning veteran Jozef Wittner, who steps back into the yellow-and-black cage after more than five years. For both men, this fight could significantly shape the next chapter of their careers.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1297"></oktfightcomponent><h2>TOMÁŠ MUDROCH vs. FEDOR DURIĆ</h2>A battle of the next generation sees two prospects with identical 8–1 records collide. The “Ostrava Express” Tomáš Mudroch has been the phenomenon of recent months – all of his wins have come in the first round, including three inside the first 30 seconds. Across three OKTAGON bouts, he has spent barely five minutes in the cage. Just 21 years old, Fedor Durić is a generational talent from Frankfurt’s MMA Spirit gym. Unlike Mudroch, he racks up submissions more often and shows remarkable composure for his age. The winner can stake a claim to a spot among the lightweight elite.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1323"></oktfightcomponent><h2>JAKUB BATFALSKÝ vs. EUGEN BLACK-DELL</h2>Young Ostrava prospect Jakub Batfalský will be looking to get back on the winning track after a challenging period. He’s one of the brightest talents of the new generation and has already shown he doesn’t shy away from the toughest challenges. Standing opposite him is experienced German Eugen Black-Dell, a former champion of two German organizations who has already tested several names in OKTAGON and punishes every mistake. A perfect test of resilience and mental toughness for the hometown hope.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1312"></oktfightcomponent><h2>MATĚJ KUZNÍK vs. HAFENI NAFUKA</h2>A great fight is expected between two fighters who have both experienced highs and lows in OKTAGON. Matěj Kuzník is a veteran of the domestic scene and has been tied to the organization since its very beginnings. Right now, however, he’s under pressure, and the bout in Ostrava could say a lot about the next direction of his career. Hafeni Nafuka, on the other hand, is known for never backing down from a challenge and has already troubled some of the most experienced opponents. For both, this is a crucial fight in a stacked division.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1336"></oktfightcomponent><h2>PRELIMS</h2><h2>JAN ŠIROKÝ vs. FRANTIŠEK FODOR</h2>Jan Široký once again proves he never turns down a challenge. He’s the kind of fighter who almost always delivers a war for the fans and never fights “for points.” In Ostrava, he faces František Fodor, whom longtime fans will remember from the very first OKTAGON Challenge. A clash of two seasoned veterans that promises a highly entertaining fight.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1341"></oktfightcomponent><h2>VÁCLAV KLIMŠA vs. BRAJAN PRZYSIWEK</h2>Václav Klimša, a professional firefighter and specialist in unconventional techniques, will fight in front of his home crowd in Ostrava. After a phenomenal debut in which he finished his opponent with the rare Von Flue choke, he captured fans’ attention. Against debuting Pole Brajan Przysiwek, he’ll also be backed by colleagues from the fire brigade, who are planning to show up in big numbers.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1382"></oktfightcomponent><h2>PETR BARTONĚK vs. ENDRIT BRAJSHORI</h2>Olomouc native Petr Bartoněk rides a four-fight winning streak, all finished inside the distance. He returns to OKTAGON after three years and plans to stay for the long haul this time. Endrit Brajshori is one of the division’s feared men – most recently he dispatched Malach in just 90 seconds, and he comes to Ostrava with the same goal in mind.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1339"></oktfightcomponent><h2>LUKÁŠ ZÁVIČÁK vs. DANIEL SCHORDJE</h2>The long-awaited OKTAGON debut of Lukáš Závičák is finally here. The fighter and coach from Frýdek-Místek wants to test himself against Europe’s elite after a great win over Toporcer. Standing in his way is Austrian prospect Daniel Schordje. The brawler known as “Bad Moon” arrives in OKTAGON as a champion of an Austrian organization with seven wins inside the distance. Can Závičák handle the surging Austrian?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1387"></oktfightcomponent><h2>ADAM HAVRAN vs. OSKAR STASZCZAK</h2>On the free prelims, hometown fighter Adam Havran takes on Poland’s Oskar Staszczak. For both men, it’s a chance to make an early statement, kick off the night in style, and secure a valuable win in front of a packed arena.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1372"></oktfightcomponent>OKTAGON 84 in Ostrava offers a world-class title fight, the return of a legend, clashes of generations, and battles of hometown heroes. If you don’t want to miss a night that could rewrite OKTAGON welterweight history, secure the PPV and watch the entire event live. This is one card you definitely won’t want to catch only in highlights.<okteventcomponent eventid="126"></okteventcomponent>

Only 24 hours remain until OKTAGON returns to Ostrava. The toughest city in the Czech Republic is ready for a massive adrenaline rush, and the last empty seats in the Ostravar Arena are being filled. This Valentine’s night is one fans won’t forget anytime soon. 

OSTRAVA CARD, FIGHT BY FIGHT: OKTAGON 84 SET TO IGNITE THE HOME SCENE

OKTAGON 84 in Ostrava won’t be just about the title fight and big names. The card also brings plenty of records, interesting facts, and strong storylines that add extra layers to the matchups. Here’s a look at what makes the Ostrava event stand out from the rest. And don’t forget about the OKTAGON Fantasy Draft — some of these insights might help you with your picks.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/6bd98669-1844-43d6-985f-92b1e5c42137/cs.1770820842733.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/6dc614b0-e549-4c42-8b80-afec1df91265/cs.1770820846406.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>ONE FIGHT, TWO COMEBACKS</h2>Both David Kozma and Jozef Wittner will be making comebacks in Ostrava — each in a different way. For Kozma, it’s a return to the cage after nearly a year following a run of three tough losses. He took time off, changed gyms, and now comes back determined to restart his career and work his way back to what once belonged to him — the championship belt.Wittner, on the other hand, is returning to OKTAGON itself after more than five years. His last appearance in the yellow-and-black cage was at OKTAGON 18, where he defeated Robo Pukač. Incidentally, Pukač is one of the opponents Wittner has mentioned he’d like to face again in the future. First, however, he has to get past a motivated “Pink Panther” on Kozma’s home turf — one of the toughest challenges he could ask for.<h2>WITH US SINCE OKTAGON 3</h2>OKTAGON 84 also carries a strong nostalgic note. Three fighters closely tied to the organization’s early days will appear in Ostrava — Ronald Paradeiser, Jan Široký, and Matěj Kuzník. All three made their OKTAGON debuts back in 2017 at OKTAGON 3 on Prague’s Štvanice Island, where Paradeiser and Široký even faced each other.Since then, each has followed a different path. Paradeiser is now among the absolute elite of European MMA and is chasing his second championship belt. Široký has become a symbol of a fighter who never turns down a challenge and almost always delivers a war for the fans — in lightweight, he’s faced most of the domestic elite, including Kohout, Bartl, and Pokorný. Kuzník has experienced both highs and lows in OKTAGON. After losing his last two fights in the yellow-and-black cage, he’ll be even more motivated to make a statement in Ostrava.<h2>A WORLD-CLASS TITLE FIGHT</h2>Ronald Paradeiser and Kaik Brito are among OKTAGON’s very best. Both are ranked inside the global Top 100 welterweights according to Fightmatrix. Rony is one of the most successful fighters in the promotion’s history — he holds the record for most wins in OKTAGON (17), most Tipsport Performance of the Night bonuses (4), is a former lightweight champion, and was once the organization’s pound-for-pound #1. Tapology has even named him the current best European fighter across all weight classes.Kaik Brito is no less exceptional. The Brazilian finisher has 18 wins — all by stoppage. Fifteen by KO/TKO and three by submission. A former welterweight champion, he has beaten names such as Lutterbach, Kozma, Kalašnik, and Bryczek. For Brito, this is a chance to reclaim the title he once held. For Rony, it’s an opportunity to capture a second belt — and possibly the biggest scalp of his career.<h2>THE UNSTOPPABLE “OSTRAVA EXPRESS”</h2>Tomáš Mudroch is a true anomaly on the European MMA scene. With a professional record of 8–1, he’s now fighting for a spot among the lightweight division’s elite. What’s truly shocking about his career? Every single one of his wins has come in the first round — three of them within the first 30 seconds.He’s carried that streak into OKTAGON, where across three fights he’s spent just over five minutes in the cage total. Fedor Durić represents the toughest test of Mudroch’s career so far. Will we see another lightning-fast finish? With Mudroch, it’s better not to blink — it could all be over before fans even find their seats.<h2>YOUTH ON THE RISE: A NEW GENERATION FIGHTS FOR ITS PLACE</h2>Jakub Batfalský, Hafeni Nafuka, Václav Klimša, and Fedor Durić — a quartet sending a clear message: our time is now. Each represents the next generation of OKTAGON fighters, and Ostrava could be a pivotal milestone in some of their careers.Jakub Batfalský became the youngest Czech fighter in OKTAGON history to headline an event. The only fighter to “outdo” him in this regard within the organization is the “Namibian Nightmare” Hafeni Nafuka. Batfalský holds wins over Ryšavý, Toporcer, and Batoba in OKTAGON and is currently ranked #8 in the division. After his most recent loss, he’s looking to get back on track and move closer to another title opportunity.At just 23, Hafeni Nafuka has already faced names like Buchinger, Bogdanović, Gabal, and Kohout. His OKTAGON run has been up and down, but he’s repeatedly shown he can trouble the very best and never shies away from a challenge.Václav Klimša became a star of the Czech scene practically after a single OKTAGON fight. The professional firefighter scored a win in Brno with the rare Von Flue choke — a technique he uses so often it could almost be renamed the “Klimša Choke.” But in front of his home crowd in Ostrava, he faces the dangerous Polish sniper Brajan Przysiwek — a completely different kind of test.At just 21 years old, Fedor Durić is already on the path to big things. With a professional record of 8–1, he currently sits at #8 in the lightweight rankings. In OKTAGON alone, he’s fought names like Predrag Bogdanović, Jan Stanovský, and Petru Buzdugan. A win over the surging Mudroch would likely push him into the Top 5. First, however, he has to stop the “Ostrava Express” — much easier said than done.OKTAGON 84 will deliver not only a world-class title fight, but also legendary comebacks, the rise of a new generation, and records you don’t see every day in OKTAGON. Ostrava is set for a night that could rewrite history. Don’t miss it — grab the PPV or come to the arena and witness records being broken live.<okteventcomponent eventid="126"></okteventcomponent>

OKTAGON 84 in Ostrava won’t be just about the title fight and big names. The card also brings plenty of records, interesting facts, and strong storylines that add extra layers to the matchups. Here’s a look at what makes the Ostrava event stand out from the rest. 

RECORDS AND STATS OF OKTAGON 84: WHAT MAKES OSTRAVA SPECIAL?

Tomáš Mudroch is set for the most important fight of his career so far in Ostrava. The “Ostrava Express” will take on Fedor Durić, one of the biggest talents on the German MMA scene. Mudroch currently sits at #10 in the lightweight rankings. A victory over the #8-ranked Durić would push him into the very top tier of the division—putting him just one step away from a title shot.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/b76b700a-7aa1-4ec1-939a-06a8584cce6b/cs.1770649792044.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/245a9b2b-be3a-4601-b735-9013b878325d/cs.1770649797124.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>“THE OSTRAVA EXPRESS”: A MACHINE FOR LIGHTNING-FASS FINISHES</h2>Tomáš Mudroch is a runaway force, steamrolling one opponent after another. And when we say steamrolling, we mean it. All eight of his wins have come not only inside the distance, but in the first round—every single time. Three of those victories even came in under 30 seconds. Mudroch doesn’t waste time, and his hard, no-nonsense Ostrava style hasn’t met real resistance yet. In OKTAGON, he has three wins and has spent a total of roughly five minutes inside the cage. Now he faces the challenge of a lifetime: the young German prospect Fedor Durić.Mudroch’s performances in OKTAGON so far:<ul><li>OKTAGON 67: Mudroch made his debut in Třinec against Petru Buzdugan and immediately made a lasting impression. Beyond the quick finish after a minute and a half, he scored the first-ever knockdown off an upkick in the organization’s history—and capped it all with a legendary post-fight interview.</li></ul><ul><li>OKTAGON 71: Tomáš’s first fight on German soil was another big success. He took an unpleasant straight right early, but his response was even harsher—one hook sent Ozan Aslaner to the canvas, and follow-up strikes secured a TKO after two minutes of action.</li></ul><ul><li>OKTAGON 79: The “Ostrava Express” didn’t slip in Brno either. He completely controlled the bout with the experienced Dohnal and gave the veteran no room to work. Once again, a single straight right rocked Jakub, and the outcome was decided.</li></ul><h2>GENERATIONAL TALENT: FEDOR DURIĆ</h2>Only 21 years old, Fedor Durić entered OKTAGON as a highly touted prospect and a product of the prestigious MMA Spirit gym. He trains alongside names such as Max Coga, Daniel Weichel, and Raul Lembarenskij. Durić carries the same professional record as Mudroch – 8–1 and has finished six of his wins inside the distance. Unlike the Ostrava fighter, however, he prefers taking the fight to the ground. He has submitted four opponents, three of them via rear-naked choke.In OKTAGON, Durić has three fights under his belt. First, he won a decision against Czech prospect Stanovský. Then he faced the extremely dangerous and experienced Predrag Bogdanović. In that bout, Durić proved he can hang with the very best in the division, losing a close decision to the favored Serb. Most recently, he fought in front of his home crowd in Frankfurt, where he dispatched Buzdugan in the first round.Now he steps in against a Czech finisher who threatens with knockout power from the opening second. Can he adjust for the Ostrava machine, or will he become the next name on Mudroch’s climb up the rankings?We’ll find out this Saturday in one of the most anticipated matchups of the night. Mudroch will have the hometown crowd behind him—and you still have a chance to be there. The last tickets are disappearing fast, so don’t wait and click the link below. OKTAGON returns to Ostrava with a stacked card that promises an unforgettable night of the very best MMA.<okteventcomponent eventid="126"></okteventcomponent>

Tomáš Mudroch is set for the most important fight of his career so far in Ostrava. The “Ostrava Express” will take on Fedor Durić, one of the biggest talents on the German MMA scene. Mudroch currently sits at #10 in the lightweight rankings.

TOMÁŠ MUDROCH FACES THE BIGGEST TEST OF HIS CAREER IN THE FORM OF FEDOR DURIĆ

The start of 2026 was nothing short of spectacular. OKTAGON kicked off its tenth year with two German events. OKTAGON 82 in Düsseldorf crowned the winner of the latest edition of the million-euro Tipsport Gamechanger pyramid. In Stuttgart, fans witnessed the crowning of a new featherweight champion, along with jaw-dropping performances in the women’s bouts. New stars arrived in OKTAGON with statement-making debuts, and a new season of OKTAGON Fantasy also got underway. Here’s a roundup of the biggest January highlights.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/1b29daa9-02ee-4396-b121-6db05c7a9eb2/cs.1770578315092.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/4a9d5926-7e16-4165-a0e9-310c618160a9/cs.1770578319958.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>JOTKO’S ONE-MAN SHOW</h2>Krzysztof Jotko capped off his phenomenal run through the pyramid in Düsseldorf. He dominated the final against star contender Kerim Engizek, finishing him by submission in the first round. The Turkish middleweight champion was given virtually no room to operate, as the Polish veteran claimed one of the biggest wins of his career. Jotko completed a flawless run, controlling almost every fight inside the yellow-and-black cage.Ironically, Jotko’s toughest and most competitive bout came in the opening round against Moldovan “Dracula” Ion Surdu. Even there, Jotko’s experience and physical strength were evident, as he neutralized Surdu’s biggest weapons and imposed his own game plan. He followed the same blueprint against Marek Mazúch, Hojat Khajevand, and in the final against Kerim Engizek. Minimal mistakes and precise execution of a clear strategy were the keys to Jotko’s success. Now he’s enjoying a well-earned break—and the €300,000 prize money he took home from the final. The big question is: who will he face next?<h2>A NEW FEATHERWEIGHT KING: MAGO MACHAEV</h2>The main event of OKTAGON 83 in Stuttgart ended even quicker than the previous title fight. Both Machaev and Samsonidse came out at full throttle, looking for a fast finish. Although the early moments favored the German fighter, Machaev decided the fight with a perfectly timed hook that sent Samsonidse to the canvas. Less than two minutes into the title bout, a new featherweight champion was crowned. The achievement is even more impressive given that Machaev is only 26 years old, with most of his career still ahead of him.The new champion won’t get much time to celebrate. His first challenger stepped up almost immediately. Gjoni Palokaj remains unbeaten in OKTAGON and is riding an eight-fight winning streak, making him the logical next contender for the young Austrian. Could we see their showdown as soon as OKTAGON 88 in Hannover?<h2>NEW STARS AND STANDOUT PERFORMANCES</h2>January also introduced several new faces to the organization. The biggest splash was made by Brian Manning. The Irish phenom was impossible to miss even before his fight with Daniel Schwindt, but he truly made his mark with an unforgettable walkout—riding to the cage on a tricycle while wearing a Jigsaw mask from the Saw horror series. Inside the cage, he backed it up with brutality, stopping his German opponent by first-round TKO. That’s the kind of debut that sticks in people’s minds, and OKTAGON may have just found another Irish star.Dastan Amangeldy also impressed in Stuttgart against seasoned Brazilian Wanderley Junior. The second Kazakh fighter in OKTAGON came in with a clear plan: push hard combinations on the feet and catch his opponent there. Junior showed his experience by countering well, but it wasn’t enough to contain the sharp and aggressive Amangeldy. His punches were accurate and his kicks razor-sharp. After three rounds, the young Kazakh secured a clear decision victory.Several other standout performances deserve mention. Perhaps the biggest show was delivered by the “princess of German MMA,” Alina Dalaslan. Against the taller, stronger, and more experienced Karolina Sobek, she didn’t hesitate for a second. Their staredown the day before the fight raised doubts even among Dalaslan’s biggest fans, but she stepped into the cage confident and determined. She was sharper, faster, and ultimately more powerful—despite taking a shot in the opening seconds. In the final moments of the third round, she caught Sobek with a combination and, instead of settling for a safe decision win, took the risk and secured a spectacular TKO finish.Don’t overlook Karol Ryšavý’s beautiful submission win over Deniz Ilbay, defying many expectations. Lazar Todev once again showed why he’s the clear number one in the heavyweight division, stopping UFC veteran Josh Parisian. David Zawada and Daniel Ligocki delivered a potential Fight of the Year contender—an all-out war from start to finish. The German veteran edged out a close decision, but both fighters earned massive respect for the performance. Zawada took home the Tipsport Performance of the Night bonus and, in a classy gesture, shared it with his Czech opponent.<h2>OKTAGON FANTASY: NEW SEASON, NEW CHANCES TO WIN</h2>The new year also launched a fresh season of the OKTAGON Fantasy fan league. More than 15,000 fans have already joined, which is awesome to see—and that’s why new features have been added this year. You’ll find all the details on the OKTAGON website in the Fantasy section. If you haven’t joined yet, you still can. Registration and participation are free, and you can win some great prizes. The next draft starts next Wednesday, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oktagonmma.com/en/fantasy/">where you’ll be able to pick your favorites for the Ostrava event.</a>

The start of 2026 was nothing short of spectacular. OKTAGON kicked off its tenth year with two German events. OKTAGON 82 in Düsseldorf crowned the winner of the latest edition of the million-euro Tipsport Gamechanger pyramid.

A JAM-PACKED JANUARY 2026: WHAT DID THE FIRST MONTH OF OKTAGON’S 10TH YEAR BRING?

A historic moment for Polish MMA and the OKTAGON organization. Polish legend Michał Materla will make his OKTAGON debut against one of the most prominent figures of the German scene – Christian Jungwirth. The clash of two national icons of European MMA will take place on April 11 at OKTAGON 86 in Szczecin, which will mark OKTAGON’s very first event on Polish soil. The bout is set at a catchweight of up to 89 kilograms.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/00e13343-cee6-4916-b0b1-943eb3ade404/cs.1770308542924.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/58695791-2d7d-4b60-a7ec-ca048db4ae71/cs.1770308547215.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>MATERLA: A LEGEND OF EUROPEAN CALIBER</h2>The return of a true Polish MMA legend. Michał Materla is among the greatest icons the European scene has ever seen. A former KSW champion, he successfully defended the middleweight title four times and is also a champion of the EFM organization. Over the course of his career, he has competed in an incredible 44 professional fights with a record of 33 wins and 11 losses. The vast majority of his victories came inside the distance – 13 by KO/TKO and 13 by submission. For more than a decade, Materla has been one of the established names in European MMA and is considered one of the key figures who significantly helped build the popularity of MMA in Poland. His move to OKTAGON immediately sparked huge interest among fans and the media, and his debut in the yellow-and-black cage will be one of the highlights of the night in Szczecin.“First of all, I’d like to thank OKTAGON for giving me the opportunity to face such an opponent. He’s a very experienced fighter who never gives up. I’m really looking forward to this fight, and I can promise the fans a dramatic bout and a great show,” Materla told fans ahead of his organizational debut.<h2>JUNGWIRTH: THE GERMAN ‘KELT’ WHO NEVER BACKS DOWN</h2>On the opposite side of the cage will stand Christian Jungwirth (16–9), one of the most popular German fighters of recent years. He has been part of OKTAGON since 2020 and has already stepped into the yellow-and-black cage fifteen times. Fans love him for his constant pressure, aggressive style, and legendary walkouts. “The Kelt” thrives on excellent conditioning and the ability to break opponents with relentless pace. Most recently, he competed at OKTAGON 80 in Munich, where he defeated UFC veteran Niklas Stolze in a thrilling battle, once again confirming his status as one of the organization’s standout names.“I’m really happy about this fight. Facing Michał Materla is something special for me – he’s an absolute MMA legend. When OKTAGON offered me this matchup, I didn’t hesitate for a second and accepted it right away. It’s a great honor for me to step into the cage in Poland against a fighter of his caliber,” says Jungwirth.Here I would place an Instagram post of their staredown, or a graphic promoting their fight.<h2>OKTAGON UNDERGROUND: STAND AND BANG RULES</h2><ul><li>The fight is contested over 5 rounds of 3 minutes each</li><li>Fighters compete in small MMA gloves</li><li>Boxing is allowed (including open-palm strikes)</li><li>Active clinch is permitted</li><li>Elbows are allowed (including 12–6 elbows)</li><li>All kicks are prohibited, including knees</li><li>All takedowns and submissions are prohibited</li></ul><h2>OKTAGON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN POLAND: A STRATEGIC MOVE INTO ONE OF EUROPE’S STRONGEST MMA MARKETS</h2>OKTAGON 86 in Szczecin marks a historic milestone – the organization is entering the Polish market for the very first time. Poland is among the strongest MMA countries in Europe, with a massive fan base and a long tradition of combat sports. The clash of two icons, Materla and Jungwirth, perfectly symbolizes OKTAGON’s ambition to enter Poland in grand style – with maximum sporting quality and fan appeal. The debut in Szczecin has the potential to open a new chapter in the organization’s expansion and bring OKTAGON to millions of new fans.A battle of legends, OKTAGON’s historic Polish premiere, and a night full of emotions. Be there live! Secure your tickets for OKTAGON 86 in Szczecin early – the best seats are selling fast.<okteventcomponent eventid="127"></okteventcomponent>

A historic moment for Polish MMA and the OKTAGON organization. Polish legend Michał Materla will make his OKTAGON debut against one of the most prominent figures of the German scene – Christian Jungwirth.

MATERLA AND JUNGWIRTH TO CLASH IN SZCZECIN IN A BOUT BETWEEN TWO NATIONAL ICONS

Ostrava is gearing up for a title fight that could rewrite OKTAGON history. Two absolute elites of the European scene will clash for the vacant welterweight belt – former lightweight king Ronald Paradeiser and ex-welterweight champion Kaik Brito. A matchup between two fighters from the Fightmatrix world top 100 (Paradeiser #60, Brito #87), this is one of the highest-quality bouts OKTAGON has ever delivered. Welterweight has long been one of the deepest and most stacked divisions in MMA – and in Ostrava, the European throne of the division will be decided.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/ce49b75a-6ef6-4783-b59a-8d1cac5303ea/cs.1770305534867.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/f82e00af-669b-4c60-a07b-b4a7efaa4e1e/cs.1770305540928.png" croppedcorners="true"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>PARADEISER: OKTAGON’S RECORD HOLDER HUNTS FOR A SECOND BELT</h2>Ronald Paradeiser is one of the organization’s all-time constants. He has already fought 23 times in OKTAGON – more than anyone else in the yellow-and-black cage. According to the respected Tapology platform, he is considered the best European fighter across all weight classes. His résumé includes scalps of European MMA legends such as Bojan Veličković and Ivan Buchinger, and he has beaten virtually the entire domestic scene.At just 28 years old, Rony already has 32 fights under his belt with a 23–9 record – more than many seasoned veterans who are nearing the end of their careers. The Slovak standout is a rare breed, relentlessly chasing progress and growing with every fight. Since moving up to welterweight, he has recorded two dominant finishes and now has the chance to cement his status as the undisputed king of the division.He trains at Poland’s Ankos Gym, where he has grown close to Ion Surdu. Their “brotherhood” entertains fans on social media, but it also opens up an intriguing storyline for the future of the welterweight division. It was Surdu who vacated the belt after missing weight in Brno, clearing the path for Paradeiser’s title shot. If Rony succeeds in Ostrava, the question will be how their friendship shapes the division going forward – both have repeatedly said they don’t want to fight each other.That friendship, however, could be a huge asset in preparation. The Moldovan “Dracula” is one of only two men in OKTAGON who have managed to stop the Brazilian.<h2>KAIK BRITO: A RUTHLESS FINISHER WITH A KILLER INSTINCT</h2>The road to the belt will be anything but easy. Kaik Brito is one of the most dangerous fighters OKTAGON has ever presented. He owns a professional record of 18–6 and a 100% finishing rate – 15 wins by KO/TKO and three by submission. In OKTAGON, he ended David Kozma’s legendary winning streak and wiped out names like Boráros, Kalašnik, and Lutterbach in the first round. When Brito steps into the cage, fans know blood will be spilled. His style is ruthless, straightforward, and extremely dangerous in every phase of the fight.Both fighters are also among the organization’s biggest fan draws in terms of entertainment value. Paradeiser has collected four Tipsport Performance of the Night bonuses, Brito has two. Everything points to an epic climax to the entire card – and there’s a very real chance it ends inside the distance.<h2>AN EPIC WELTERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN</h2>Paradeiser’s technical precision, experience, and fight IQ against Brito’s knockout power and ruthless killer instinct. One man is chasing a second belt and a place in OKTAGON history. The other wants to prove once again that he is the most dangerous man in the welterweight division. Ostrava will witness the crowning of a new champion – and this title fight is set to be the perfect finale to a stacked night.Be there when a new king of the welterweight division is crowned in Ostrava. Secure your tickets early and experience Paradeiser vs. Brito live – this gala night will go down in OKTAGON history.<okteventcomponent eventid="126"></okteventcomponent>