We are less than four weeks away from the final event of the year: OKTAGON 81. Fighter preparations are reaching their peak. It’s the final stretch. One of the most anticipated matchups is the clash between the former champion and one of the most accomplished Czech fighters, Patrik Kincl, and the Slovak veteran who is experiencing a career rebirth. A rematch that fans have been waiting ten long years for. What will decide the winner?

BACK TO THE PAST: A CLOSE FIRST FIGHT

When Kincl and Pukač first met, the MMA world looked completely different. Conor McGregor was preparing for his first UFC title fight, OKTAGON existed only in the minds of its founders, and Karlos Vémola was demolishing opponents in England. Czech and Slovak MMA was still in its early stages—and at that moment, two promising prospects stood across from each other: 25-year-old Patrik Kincl and the two-years-younger Robo Pukač. Both fighters already had a solid number of professional fights. Kincl held a 13–8 record and had just returned from an unsuccessful run in Russia’s ACB, where he lost to Albert Duraev. Pukač had a slightly better record of 12–4–1 and, after his win over Šindelář, many saw him as the favorite. The fight took place on May 30, 2015 , in Banská Bystrica. Both fighters knew how important the matchup was for their careers, and the fight reflected that—neither opened up with risky combinations, usually throwing only single or double strikes. Pukač relied heavily on low kicks , and after the first round Kincl’s leg was badly bruised. The Czech fighter tried to pressure Pukač against the fence and score takedowns , which he succeeded in doing a few times—possibly the deciding factor in his victory. Otherwise, most of the fight was spent in the center, standing, with neither gaining a major advantage. After 15 minutes, the judges delivered a majority decision in favor of the Czech “Inspector.” Their careers then split. Kincl went on an impressive run, losing only once in his next 10 fights. Pukač struggled, collecting 6 losses and only 4 wins in his next 10 bouts.

THE STORY OF ROBERT PUKAČ'S REDEMPTION

Ten years passed, and while Patrik Kincl became OKTAGON’s middleweight champion and even reached the top of the P4P rankings , Robo Pukač struggled for years to find the form that would bring him back into the spotlight. He finally did it this year. With bold trash talk and a fearless attitude, he called out the struggling David Kozma —and seized the biggest opportunity of his career. He finished the “Pink Panther” in the first round in front of Czech fans in Třinec, scoring the biggest win of his career. But he wasn’t satisfied. After beating one king, he wanted another —this time Germany’s Christian Eckerlin. Many claimed Pukač’s win over Kozma was a fluke or simply a consequence of Kozma’s poor performance. But the “Prince of Bratislava” didn’t care. He knew his win was built on years of hard work and sacrifice. And once again, he proved it. In Hamburg’s Barclays Arena, he demolished the local star Eckerlin via third-round TKO. Each win boosted his appetite —and now he wants one more giant of the Czech scene and a chance to avenge his decade-old loss.

KINCL HAS STUMBLED TWICE – NOW HE MUST WIN

Standing in the way of Pukač’s fairy-tale rise is the Czech “Inspector” Patrik Kincl —one of the most successful Czech MMA athletes of all time. The former OKTAGON middleweight champion reigned over the division for 956 days and defended the title three times, against names like Karlos Vémola, Alex Lohoré, and Piotr Wawrzyniak. Today he sits at #77 in the global FightMatrix rankings —though at the start of 2024, he was ranked as high as #35. But then came two consecutive losses —something that hadn’t happened to Kincl in 15 years. First, he lost in front of a record-setting 59,194 fans at the Frankfurt football stadium, where he was outclassed by Kerim Engizek. He couldn’t threaten the Turkish fighter and allowed him to control the fight. The decision was clear. A similar story unfolded in June at OKTAGON 72 in Prague’s Eden, where he lost the interim title fight against Makhmud Muradov. He couldn’t find success in striking or on the ground. After four years, Kincl now enters a non-title bout —facing someone outside the global top 160 for the first time in ten matches. Still, this may be one of the most important fights of his career. A third consecutive loss would be a major problem and signal danger for his ranking among the hungry contenders below.

CZECHIA vs. SLOVAKIA

A rivalry embedded in the DNA of OKTAGON. From the very first OKTAGON Challenge to the Fight of the Century. Czech–Slovak matchups have shaped the local MMA scene since its beginnings—and they will continue to do so. This fight once again puts two nations head-to-head. On one side stands the Czech “Inspector” Patrik Kincl. On the other, the “Prince of Bratislava” Robo Pukač. Whether you’re Team Kincl or Team Pukač, this fight forces you to pick a side. And in the O2 Arena, one side will celebrate. Will you be there?

Sunday, December 28th. Prague’s O2 Arena. A grand finale to the OKTAGON year. Two world-class title fights. The long-awaited rematch Kincl vs. Pukač II. The conclusion of the Celebrity Series. And a lineup of electrifying matchups that will lift fans from their seats. That’s OKTAGON 81. And you still have a chance to be part of it. Tickets are disappearing fast—don’t miss your opportunity. Be there and watch the entire event live!

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

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