Matěj Peňáz má před sebou největší výzvu své kariéry. Už za několik týdnů se v Edenu utká o pás střední váhy s Patrikem Kinclem, a to jen pár měsíců od návratu po složitém zranění. Jak probíhá příprava, jak se těší na zaplněný stadion a co plánovaná svatba?&nbsp;<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/4bcb353a-a0aa-4824-9e2a-fd4c112a05d0/cs.1715885323291.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/0efd1b1c-b4ff-41a1-a797-edae76567f60/cs.1715885327566.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent>HOT NEWS: Jako oficiální náhradník do zápasu byl včera potvrzen Vlasto Čepo!&nbsp;Peňáz si se zraněním lokte užil vleklé komplikace a téměř rok se musel věnovat léčbě. Pro zápasníka je taková stopka často zásadní, velkou změnu jsme viděli nedávno třeba u Keity. Zdá se ale, že tuhle překážku Matěj skvěle překonal.&nbsp;„Před prvním zápasem po zranění jsem s tím samozřejmě v hlavě trošku bojoval, ale už jsem stihl dva zápasy a tři přípravy, vše bez problému. Mentálně mě to tedy nijak netrápí,” oznámil skvělé zprávy.&nbsp;Stejně klidně a soustředěně přistupuje Matěj také k přípravě. I přesto přiznává, že určité rozdíly nastaly.&nbsp;„Tímhle zápasem mohu vážně hodně získat, je to velká motivace. Ale každý zápas je pro mě vždy ten nejdůležitější a přizpůsobuji mu úplně vše. Žádné velké změny se neodehrály, až na specifické nácviky na daného soupeře a samozřejmě větší důraz na kondici, jde o můj úplně první zápas 5x5 minut,” říká o aktuální přípravě a dodává, že na to, co bude dál, zatím vůbec nemyslí a nad budoucností v případě výhry i prohry nijak neuvažuje. Zásadní je 8. červen. A jak se vůbec těší na fotbalový stadion?&nbsp;<oktinstagramcomponent url="https://www.instagram.com/p/C63rjSxsKhR/"></oktinstagramcomponent>„Na fotbale jsem tam nikdy nebyl, popravdě žádné jiné sporty nestíhám moc sledovat. Úplně poprvé jsem na Edenu byl na natáčení promo videa a musím říct, že se těším na atmosféru a zaplněný stadion lidmi,” odpovídá na otázku, zda má k domovu pražské Slavie nějaký vztah a pokračuje:„Karta je navíc plná výborných zápasů, Petrášek vs. Sami, Kozma vs. Surdu, to jsou určitě ty, na které se nejvíc těším. Ale nejspíš je uvidím až ze záznamu, protože se budu soustředit na svůj fight. Většinou přijdu na turnaj, podívám se na první dva tři zápasy, nasaju atmosféru a chuť do zápasu. Pak už se soustředím jen sám na sebe,” popsal klasický průběh zápasového večera.&nbsp;Kromě těšení na Eden ho ale čeká ještě jedna náročná příprava: ta svatební! Přítelkyni požádal o ruku na kempu v Thajsku.„Větší plánování svatby si nechávám až po zápase, takže zatím jsem řešil jen nějaké maličkosti,” uzavírá Peňáz.&nbsp;Buď u historické MMA události! Poslední lístky v prodeji právě teď.&nbsp;<okteventcomponent eventid="86"></okteventcomponent>

Matěj Peňáz nám prozradil, jak se připravuje na největší zápas své kariéry.

PEŇÁZ: POPRVÉ SE PŘIPRAVUJI NA 5 KOL! A KDO JE NÁHRADNÍK?  

And it’s here! Just as we crowned the king of the Tipsport Gamechanger lightweight pyramid, Losene Keita, the third season of the European MMA Champions League is upon us. This league has firmly established itself as one of the most memorable events in OKTAGON history. This time, middleweight fighters will compete for the grand prize.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/46d6ce59-e129-4cff-bbf7-2d0723d309da/cs.1736955316299.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/7766636e-ddc4-4b34-9a31-d5ba3f5ece7b/cs.1736955323300.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent>"We’re looking at the most stacked season of the European MMA Champions League yet. Fans can expect an incredible quality of matches and the highest number of local fighters in the pyramid. I’m also thrilled that the Tipsport Gamechanger will span multiple events," says Ondřej Novotný, the promoter of our organization. Let’s dive into the details!<h2>WHAT’S DIFFERENT THIS YEAR?</h2>This year’s edition brings a significant change. The first round, the Round of 16 of this prestigious competition, won’t take place during a single event but will be spread across three locations in two countries. Let’s see which matches you can expect where and when so you don’t miss a thing!<h2>DÜSSELDORF WITH THE HOME CHAMPION</h2>The new season kicks off in Düsseldorf, Germany, which is already nearly sold out – and for good reason!The highlight of the evening will feature the reigning champion, Engizek, undefeated for nine years, fighting in his hometown. In the first round, he’ll face the rising MMA star Salamone from France, known for his versatility and ability to finish most opponents before the time limit.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1086"></oktfightcomponent>Additionally, Matěj Peňáz, a big name in the middleweight division, will return to action. He’ll square off against David Zawada in a match that’s been brewing with tension for months. This fight was destined to happen.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1115"></oktfightcomponent><h2>FIRST TIME IN TŘINEC</h2>Three more matches will take place in Třinec, marking OKTAGON’s debut in this city.Czech fan favorite Miloš Petrášek will chase his dream, but first, he’ll have to get past the dangerous Englishman Stanton in the opening round.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1119"></oktfightcomponent>Another highly anticipated match, now part of the pyramid, features the incredibly resilient Wawrzyniak, respected throughout the organization, against Mazúch, whose knockout power has even seasoned fighters on edge. His last highlight was a quick KO at Eden.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1118"></oktfightcomponent>To complete the trio of thrilling bouts, OKTAGON newcomer Hulme, a submission and grappling specialist, will make his debut in the cage. His opponent, however, is no stranger to the cage – Andreas Michailidis, the Greek giant and last year’s Tipsport Gamechanger finalist, who’s back with his sights set on the million-euro prize.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1120"></oktfightcomponent><h2>ACTION-PACKED KARLOVY VARY</h2>The final stop of the first round will be Karlovy Vary. This time, instead of movie stars, the city will host the elites of one of the toughest sports.We’ll definitely see “Pirát” Krištofič in action, but the question remains – who will be the wildcard joining the game for the first time this year? Any guesses?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1108"></oktfightcomponent>When it comes to middleweights, no one should overlook Vlasta Čepo. Fans can look forward to a clash of hard-hitting finishers. Čepo rarely lets fights reach the second round, while his opponent, Kartal, has most of his victories within the time limit, half of them in the very first round.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1117"></oktfightcomponent>Rounding out the stacked lineup is the newly crowned welterweight champion, the star “Dracula” Ion Surdu. He’s facing a tough challenge in the form of a massive tournament favorite, the current world #43 with 11 UFC wins – none other than Polish ace Jotko.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1116"></oktfightcomponent><h2>WHAT REMAINS THE SAME?</h2>As always, you can look forward to top-notch MMA and a series of reserve matches, which, as we saw last year, often bring thrilling surprises and feature excellent fighters. Also returning is the fan-favorite Lucky Loser poll, which allows the best fighters eliminated from the pyramid to re-enter through reserve bouts.WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE? FOLLOW THE THRILLING TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER 2025!<okteventcomponent eventid="103"></okteventcomponent>

Explore all the matches in the Round of 16 of the million-dollar pyramid.

BIG OVERVIEW: FIRST ROUND OF TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER. WHERE, WHEN, AND WHO?

Introducing the first debutant set to premiere in OKTAGON in the opening round of the new Tipsport Gamechanger season. Today, we’re telling you more about the dangerous "Polar Bear" from France... Meet Anthony Salamone.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/516301de-d83b-4730-9f31-ffb8606b0d51/cs.1736874709996.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/aafa4249-33db-4694-a9ff-012a8f72688e/cs.1736874703772.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>BETWEEN GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLING AND MMA</h2>His beginnings were certainly remarkable, though Salamone himself admits he wasn’t much of a sports enthusiast as a child. Born in Tourcoing, France, he only started practicing combat sports as a teenager. After discovering MMA, he also decided to dive into Greco-Roman wrestling, a discipline with a strong tradition in France.At the age of 16, Salamone made his professional MMA debut – and it’s worth mentioning that he finished his first opponent in the first round with a Rear Naked Choke. This happened in Belgium, as MMA was still illegal in France at the time. For this reason, Salamone leaned more toward traditional wrestling for several years.And he excelled – he became a national champion multiple times and even represented France on the national team. He describes his early career as constantly switching between wrestling and MMA. Wrestling remained a part of his journey for ten years.DID YOU KNOW? His nickname, "Ours Blanc," means "Polar Bear" in French.<h2>RETURN TO MIDDLEWEIGHT</h2>Thirteen years of professional fighting brought many stellar moments. Salamone has finished all his fights before the time limit, with most victories coming in under two minutes! However, he can also win on points, and his ground-game experience makes him a persistent and dangerous opponent.He is now returning to the middleweight division after 3.5 years, having competed exclusively in light heavyweight since 2022. Middleweight, however, seems to suit him best – he remains undefeated in this weight class.FUN FACT: Salamone faced Will Fleury, the new light heavyweight champion, in 2022!<oktfightcomponent fightid="1086"></oktfightcomponent>In the pyramid’s opening round, Salamone faces a real challenge – the reigning champion, Engizek, who defeated Patrik Kincl in the fall to claim the middleweight throne. Will Salamone be the one to shake Engizek’s confidence?<h2>KEITA’S DARK HORSE</h2>Who does last year’s Tipsport Gamechanger winner, Keita, trust? He’s all in on Salamone, naming him as his favorite and even sending him into the fight. This endorsement from Keita undoubtedly carries weight with fans.<h2>PROUD OF HIS HOMETOWN </h2>Salamone is proud of his French roots and his northern region. He dreams of one day building a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to combat sports in his hometown, where France’s best fighters could train.ENGIZEK VS. SALAMONE on February 1 in Düsseldorf! Don’t miss the opening fights of TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER 2025.<okteventcomponent eventid="103"></okteventcomponent>

Who is the OKTAGON debutant entering the Tipsport Gamechanger against the division champion?

INTRODUCING: ANTHONY SALAMONE, KEITA'S FAVORITE TO WIN

2024 is behind us, leaving unforgettable moments etched forever in OKTAGON’s yellow-and-black chronicles. From the Tipsport Gamechanger and the King of Germany title to thrilling championship battles and a world attendance record, let’s dive into the highlights prepared in collaboration with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/mma_statistix/">@mma_statistix</a>!<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/05658328-3504-4762-88b0-2abcd2557bcb/cs.1736194720709.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/61d41042-df8c-431c-b4ab-f8d7f5b0d586/cs.1736194725781.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>BY THE NUMBERS: WHAT DID 2024 BRING?</h2><ul><li>14 events</li><li>148 fights</li><li>43 TKOs/KOs</li><li>31 submissions</li><li>0 draws</li><li>72 decisions</li><li>2 no-contests (a record for a single year!)</li><li>71 debuts</li></ul><h2>HOURS UPON HOURS OF ACTION</h2>Want to rewatch every fight from last year? You’ll need nearly an entire day! In total, there were 18 hours, 44 minutes, and 42 seconds of pure fighting action.Three events even made it into the TOP 5 longest OKTAGON evenings: OKTAGON 61 in Brno took the crown, OKTAGON 62, a night to remember, followed closely, and OKTAGON 57 rounded out the pack.It was a year packed with hours of the best MMA entertainment!<h2>LIGHTNING-FAST FINISHES</h2>Let’s speed things up! Some fighters made quick work of their bouts, ensuring they didn’t contribute to the marathon events. Who were the fastest finishers of 2024?Fastest TKOs/KOs of 2024:<ul><li>14 seconds – Milan Ďatelinka (OKTAGON 59)</li><li>36 seconds – Arijan Topallaj (OKTAGON 55)</li><li>43 seconds – Andrej Kalašnik (OKTAGON 56)</li><li>48 seconds – Akonne Wanliss (OKTAGON 56)</li><li>53 seconds – Michael Deiga-Scheck (OKTAGON 55)</li></ul>Fastest submissions of 2024:<ul><li>1:00 – Jaime Cordero (OKTAGON 64)</li><li>1:47 – Shem Rock (OKTAGON 56)</li><li>2:09 – Laura Kirtzel (OKTAGON 57)</li><li>2:57 – Marek Bartl (OKTAGON 64)</li><li>3:00 – Wahed Nazhand (OKTAGON 60)</li><li>3:06 – Shem Rock (OKTAGON 58)</li></ul><h2>A YEAR OF NEW CHAMPIONS</h2>Let’s move to the top of the divisions! Last year, the tides truly turned as most reigning champions relinquished their belts. In total, we saw 6 new champions (Creasey, Martin, Engizek, Surdu, Bolander, Fleury) and one returning champion, Keita.Nearly every division crowned a new king or queen! However, one fact that won’t delight Czech and Slovak fans: after OKTAGON 65, no Czech or Slovak fighter holds a title anymore.Interesting note: Only one title fight ended in the first round—the clash between Surdu and Brito at OKTAGON 64.<h2>A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR</h2>2024 was undoubtedly a special year for OKTAGON. As you may already know, OKTAGON 62 shattered the world record for MMA event attendance.Overall, nearly 200,000 fans attended OKTAGON events last year, averaging 13,500 fans per event. Two major stadiums played a significant role in this achievement. The tour visited 4 countries, 10 cities, and 13 different arenas or stadiums in total!<h2>YOUR 2024</h2>And how do you rate last year inside the cage? Cast your vote in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oktagonmma.com/en/best-of-2024/">BEST OF 2024 POLL</a> and decide on the top performances of 2024!

How was the year 2024? Together with @mma_statistix, we bring you a unique summary!

THE ULTIMATE 2024 RECAP: OKTAGON’S MOST MEMORABLE YEAR YET

We've got something you'll definitely find interesting. The scorecards from the action-packed OKTAGON 65 are full of tension. See how a single point can often change a fighter's life.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/9aef38b4-2e82-4296-aea1-0507493c4a21/cs.1735921962989.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/92ac440a-d241-42b1-9297-5fc28280ca16/cs.1735921968951.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER: PARADEISER VS. KEITA 2</h2>The first round of the Tipsport Gamechanger final was very close, but all the judges clearly scored it for Keita. He confirmed his dominance with a finish in the second round and could celebrate his birthday with the best gift of all.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1032" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>VÉMOLA VS. FLEURY</h2>Unbelievable things happened in the cage, while there was clear agreement among the judges on the winner—Will Fleury was decisively crowned the new champion! Karlos didn’t win a single round on the scorecards, but he undoubtedly won over the fans with his performance, putting his whole heart into the fight.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1076" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>PUDILOVÁ VS. BOLANDER 2</h2>A real treat for numbers lovers. One of the judges scored the fight for Lucie Pudilová. The match was a constant back-and-forth with evenly matched rounds. But in the end, there can only be one winner!<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1114" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>MAGÅRD VS. SEVERINO</h2>Another interesting scorecard. In the second round, two judges saw it as even, while the third judge was more impressed overall by Mågård. Sometimes, it’s just that close!<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1085" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>ÚŠKRT VS. SCHWINDT</h2>A match where the audience was upset by the stoppage in the second round. Even the first round didn’t go well for Úškrt.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1066" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>SARDARI VS. DIMIĆ</h2>Sardari made sure he wouldn’t leave it to the scorecards! He finished his opponent in the second round.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1113" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>TICHOTA VS. ASLANER</h2>The scorecard for Tichota’s fight is certainly of interest. Despite his efforts, he failed to secure a victory in his new division for the second time. It should be noted, though, that the winner wasn’t decided until the third round!<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1082" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>NOVÁK VS. KURHELA</h2>This one was a nail-biter. Kurhela led on points in the first round, and the second round was scored even by two judges… but in the end, it was Novák who triumphantly had his hand raised as the clear winner.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1035" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>GABAL VS. BAJRAMI</h2>After the flurry of points, here’s a fight where things were clear from the very first round. Gabal overwhelmed his opponent on points.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1112" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent><h2>BATFALSKÝ VS. TOPORCER</h2>In the opening bout, Batfalský saved the judges some work by finishing his opponent in the very first round.<oktscorecardfightcomponent fightid="1083" smallerversion="true"></oktscorecardfightcomponent>

How did the judges score the fights at the O2 Arena? We've got the scorecards for all the bouts.

SCORECARDS FROM OKTAGON 65: SEE THE FIGHTS THROUGH THE JUDGES' EYES

The unforgettable card lived up to all the expectations it set. Tipsport Gamechanger has its king, and although Vémola lost the title in the final fight at the O2 Arena, he certainly didn’t lose his honor. Bolander went from being a substitute to becoming the champion, while veterans like Mågård, Úškrt, and Tichota experienced disappointment. Sardari confirmed his abilities, and right from the start, Czechoslovakian fans were cheering for wins from Batfalský, Novák, and Gabal.Here are the detailed results of all the matches:<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/7782dbb5-013e-44d0-8331-448ac7f9b82c/cs.1735517635043.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/f01219b7-fdb1-4615-9399-feffe09141a2/cs.1735517643621.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER: PARADEISER VS. KEITA – TIPSPORT PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT</h2>The evening reached its peak with the final of the million-dollar pyramid, which also featured the OKTAGON lightweight title. It was such a big match that it seemed neither finalist was eager to start. The fight eventually opened with a kick from Rony, followed by many more. Keita’s incredible speed and agility took the first round in his favor. The second round was also the final one—Paradeiser made several strange decisions that turned out to be his downfall. After managing to close Keita's eye, Paradeiser attempted a takedown, but a mistake led to a devastating elbow, costing him both the Tipsport Gamechanger trophy and the title. Losene Keita is the new double champion, with injury being the only thing that has stopped him so far. The birthday boy got the best gift plus the bonus for the best performance of the night. And another fantastic edition of this tournament is behind us!<oktfightcomponent fightid="1032"></oktfightcomponent><h2>VÉMOLA VS. FLEURY</h2>This is a ride we’ll probably never forget. Karlos entered the cage with enormous fan support pushing him further. In the first round, Fleury surprised everyone by immediately going for a takedown and putting Karlos under serious pressure on the ground. Then came a wild exchange of strikes, with Karlos taking some incredibly hard hits. He staggered, and it seemed like it was just a matter of seconds before the Czech legend would be finished. But no. Karlos survived what felt like three near-death moments in a row, then took Fleury down, where it even looked like he might get a submission. The second round brought a fresh burst of energy, and of course, Vémola brought the fight to the ground. Both fighters spent a long time testing their strength, but Fleury controlled the situation with hard strikes. The round ended against the fence. The rest of the fight was marked by understandable fatigue from both men, but neither gave up, despite how tough it was. Fleury gradually realized he would have to rely on points to secure the win. In the last 30 seconds, Karlos tried for a miraculous KO, but it didn’t happen. Even though Terminator didn’t win a round, he certainly won the fans' hearts and earned the respect of everyone who watched this breathtaking performance. The title, however, went to the new light heavyweight champion, Will "F*cking" Fleury! Let’s see if he faces Muradov, whom he immediately challenged with his characteristic boldness after his win.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1076"></oktfightcomponent><h2>PUDILOVÁ VS. BOLANDER 2</h2>It was destiny that Pudilová and Bolander met just three months after their first duel, which the Czech favorite won narrowly. Substitute Bolander wanted her title shot so much that she finally got it. Once again, it was incredibly close and tough. Pudilová initially struggled with distance in the stand-up but eventually figured out how to land on Bolander, opening up bloody cuts on her face. After three rounds, the fight continued as a very even contest, almost like a boxing match. In the fourth round, Pudilová closed Bolander's eye, but Bolander didn’t stop and made it clear that the final round would decide the winner. Bolander seemed to realize that this was her last chance and found her final reserves of strength—suddenly, she landed with such precision that she won the longed-for title, by just one point. The emotions that the champion's belt triggered in her were wild and unstoppable.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1114"></oktfightcomponent><h2>MÅGÅRD VS. SEVERINO</h2>The pace set by the main card didn’t slow down in this fight between Denmark’s "Shark" and newcomer Severino. He entered the cage with an intense energy, reminding everyone of the disqualification that had made him famous. The strikes Severino landed early on in the fight looked like they would end it in record time, but the fight went on much longer. Severino denied Mågård’s attempts to take him down, but in the second round, Severino started showing signs of fatigue. Mågård returned the energy from the start and, had he not chosen to take the fight to the fence, we might have seen a KO from Denmark. Severino came into the final round with fresh energy and confidence, but Mågård wasn’t to be outdone and demonstrated his experience and endurance. Despite Severino’s energy, the third round was decisive, and the Brazilian newcomer claimed victory by split decision. This is a fighter we will definitely hear more about.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1085"></oktfightcomponent><h2>ÚŠKRT VS. SCHWINDT</h2>The fight that set the whole arena on fire only gave fans a short break after the first round. The cage saw just about everything—striking exchanges, flying elbows, illegal blows, and a wild back-and-forth dominance between the two on the ground and against the cage. Halfway through the second round, when Schwindt got Úškrt to his back and started landing a barrage of strikes, the referee had no doubt and awarded the win to the German by TKO, despite the protests from the crowd.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1066"></oktfightcomponent><h2>SARDARI VS. DIMIĆ</h2>Dimić felt the damage. In the reserve bout for Tipsport Gamechanger, Sardari came in with everything he had from the start and dominated the fight. His opponent, who accepted the match at the last minute, became a perfect example of what Sardari is capable of. The Dutchman didn’t drag out the suffering. In the second round, Sardari expertly choked him out and confirmed his place as a fighter with a strong reputation in the organization.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1113"></oktfightcomponent><h2>TICHOTA VS. ASLANER</h2>Even at the end of the year, Tichota, who was trying out the lightweight division for the second time, didn’t have much luck. Although he entered the cage as the favorite, Aslaner immediately crushed any doubts about himself by breaking Tichota's nose early in the fight. Tichota struggled to gain control throughout the match, with Aslaner nearly sending him home by the end of the first round. Though Tichota found some rhythm in the second round, his attempts in both stand-up and on the ground weren’t enough to secure the win. In the end, Aslaner won by split decision, despite Tichota's efforts.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1082"></oktfightcomponent><h2>NOVÁK VS. KURHELA</h2>Marco Novák once again showed the huge progress he’s made in MMA. Ironically, his stand-up, where he is usually strong, wasn’t as effective at times. Kurhela was more precise in the stand-up, but both fighters were determined to get the fight to the ground. After a wild exchange in the second round, they finally went to the ground, where Novák took a hard hit that caused a bump on his forehead. The final round was a back-and-forth battle, with neither fighter giving an inch. In the end, Marco Novák won by decision.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1035"></oktfightcomponent><h2>GABAL VS. BAJRAMI</h2>Like a game of cat and mouse. Gabal didn’t waste any time and immediately knocked Bajrami to the ground. The German tough guy survived the first round, which was marked by a brutal ground battle. In the second round, Bajrami briefly had the upper hand when he got Gabal to the ground, but it didn’t last long. Gabal almost submitted him, but Bajrami managed to escape. The final round was a frantic scramble for position, but the judges awarded the win to Gabal, though Bajrami certainly didn’t make it easy for him.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1112"></oktfightcomponent><h2>BATFALSKÝ VS. TOPORCER</h2>The local favorite, Batfalský, entered the cage with great energy, accompanied by a Czech rap star, who helped him get in the right mindset. Batfalský started the fight strong and had the upper hand from the start. It only took 1 minute and 41 seconds for Toporcer to hit the ground, where the 22-year-old talent finished him off. Now that’s how you get the crowd fired up!<oktfightcomponent fightid="1083"></oktfightcomponent>

Check out the detailed results of the last OKTAGON this year, which was packed with incredible moments. 

OKTAGON 65 RESULTS: NEW CHAMPIONS CROWNED

Tomorrow brings us a fight card like no other: 3 title fights and the very best of the entire organization under one roof at the O2 Arena. Let’s take a look at what you can look forward to!<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/98a62caf-82bd-4a7a-8f3d-db07b0b7af6a/cs.1735396294296.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/efe84b88-5cad-44bd-b72a-f1e6a9982545/cs.1735396299849.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER: PARADEISER VS. KEITA 2</h2>The grand finale of the million-dollar pyramid and a rematch that countless fans have been dreaming about! This isn’t just about the title of the best lightweight in Europe and life-changing money, but also the championship belt (thrown into the mix by the current lightweight king Rony) and the top spot in the P4P rankings across all OKTAGON weight classes. Rony tore through the pyramid like a hot knife through butter, and after a tough first round, he hasn’t stumbled once – he is at the peak of his powers. Similarly, the stellar Keita is aiming to become the champion of two divisions at once. One of the biggest fights in the organization’s history will decide: will Keita take everything from Rony, or will Paradeiser comfortably sit on the throne that took so much hard work to reach?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1032"></oktfightcomponent><h2>VÉMOLA VS. FLEURY</h2>This one is personal! Will Fleury came to OKTAGON, insulted nearly the entire division, and immediately called out Karlos. And his plan worked. After crushing defeats of Škvor and Langer, the world’s #45 got exactly what he wanted. Beyond the title fight, this is also about personal revenge! Vémola allegedly injured Fleury during a training session in England years ago and never even apologized. While the Czech legend has no recollection of this, Fleury still can’t let it go! Will we see the legend and current light heavyweight champion in trouble, or will he leave as the king once again?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1076"></oktfightcomponent><h2>PUDILOVÁ VS. BOLANDER 2</h2>Szabová cannot step in at the last moment, which is undoubtedly a great pity. However, the replacement, Bolander, is fully prepared to seek revenge for her last encounter with Pudilová, and this time it’s for the title. Their first fight already delivered an unforgettable and incredibly tough spectacle. Undoubtedly an excellent replacement, Bolander is a huge Norwegian talent, while Pudilová only recently returned after two years away from the UFC, where she made history as the first Czech woman to compete. It was her relatively close victory over Bolander in Brno that earned her this title fight, which fatefully brings both women back into the cage.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1114"></oktfightcomponent><h2>MÅGÅRD VS. SEVERINO</h2>Bantamweight’s number one, Mågård, has already proven multiple times that he doesn’t fear much. When Igor Severino, a controversial new signing, announced his arrival to the organization, Mågård gladly took up the challenge. After some trash talk on social media, it’s time to settle it in the cage. Severino is a huge threat not just for the bantamweight division. His only career loss came from a disqualification in the UFC for biting his opponent – now he’s figuratively sharpening his teeth for the “Shark”!<oktfightcomponent fightid="1085"></oktfightcomponent><h2>ÚŠKRT VS. SCHWINDT</h2>Úškrt has experienced a lot in the cage – from Kertész, through Monster, to Magnor, whom he finished in the first round. Now he faces a sudden change of opponent, as Polívka is ill, and German substitute Daniel Schwindt steps in. Schwindt has 7 professional fights under his belt, and all his victories have come before the time limit. He’s no pushover.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1066"></oktfightcomponent><h2>SARDARI VS. DIMIĆ</h2>The last reserve fight of this year's Tipsport Gamechanger tournament has undergone a last-minute change, but the excitement is guaranteed. Sardari, a former two-time Cage Warriors champion and a top Dutch lightweight fighter, has never been knocked out but has racked up numerous finishes himself. In the first round of the pyramide, he almost defeated Keita! Dimić, a Serbian talent, didn’t hesitate to step in on short notice just days before the fight and stands out with his explosive style. Will Sardari's calm and experience prevail, or will the fierce Serbian energy take the win?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1113"></oktfightcomponent><h2>TICHOTA VS. ASLANER</h2>Jakub Tichota is a rare phenomenon – at just 23 years old, he already has two title fights and challenges that his older colleagues are only now preparing for. His path to the top was interrupted by a serious injury, which ultimately forced him to change weight classes. This will be his second fight in the lightweight division, this time against Germany’s skilled Aslaner, who has already become a champion in one of Germany’s organizations. For him, too, this is a fresh start after a long-term injury. Who will enter the new year as a winner?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1082"></oktfightcomponent><h2>GABAL VS. BAJRAMI</h2>Peter Gabal, the IMMAF vice-champion of the world, showcased his dominance with an impressive 18-second victory at PML, proving he’s ready to take on bigger challenges. Opposing him is Bajrami, a fighter who has defeated all his opponents before the time limit with devastating strikes, perfected through years of training in boxing and MMA. Two finish specialists facing off in a bout that promises to deliver an electrifying spectacle.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1112"></oktfightcomponent><h2>NOVÁK VS. KURHELA</h2>Marco Novák continues his transformation into a successful MMA fighter. At OKTAGON 59, he earned a valuable victory against Roušal, dominating on the ground. The WKU kickboxing world champion now holds a three-fight win streak, all of which ended before the time limit. Against the versatile Finnish fighter Eemil Kurhela, an experienced amateur champion, Novák faces a crucial test of his all-around skills.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1035"></oktfightcomponent><h2>BATFALSKÝ VS. TOPORCER</h2>Twenty-one-year-old Batfalský, the Czech and Slovak amateur champion, is riding a two-fight win streak, with four of his five victories coming by finish. He’s gained experience alongside the stellar Keita. Slovak talent “El Diablo” Toporcer boasts two KOs and two submissions, finishing his first three professional fights in the first round. Which of these two rising talents is heading for the top?<oktfightcomponent fightid="1083"></oktfightcomponent>

Concise, clear, and organized: what will the best card in OKTAGON history bring? Go through it all and stay in the loop.

YOUR GUIDE: OKTAGON 65 FIGHT BY FIGHT

In just a few days, Prague’s O2 Arena will host the best fight card we’ve ever seen. We turned to the stars of OKTAGON for their predictions. And who better to ask than the newly crowned champion Ion Surdu and the experienced David Kozma?Will you trust their picks?<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/5ffe1308-3441-4f32-ba4c-ed3de5d31d29/cs.1735313471041.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/87efe335-4d5b-4fbf-83e4-6b84132424e2/cs.1735313476669.png"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>TIPSORT GAMECHANGER FINAL: PARADEISER VS. KEITA 2</h2>The pinnacle of the pyramid, where it’s not just about a dream prize money but also the title of Europe’s best lightweight. Rony Paradeiser has even thrown his championship belt into the mix, and there’s the added stake of the top spot in the P4P rankings across all weight classes. It’s truly all or nothing!Ion Surdu:Only one team can be here—only Paradeiser. I train with Rony and do my training camps with him. I know how heavy his hands are, how strong his legs are. He’s on a completely different level now compared to two or three years ago. Back then, it was just fists and fights. Now, Rony is on another level, while Keita is more or less at the same level. If Rony catches him, Keita will go down—either a knockdown or a knockout. So, yes, Rony. Rony by points or KO/TKO.David Kozma:I think this time, Rony wins. Their first fight was already very close, but I believe Rony has improved more since then. I see it being a great firefight, where Rony’s accuracy will prevail, and he’ll win on points.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1032"></oktfightcomponent><h2>VÉMOLA VS. FLEURY</h2>The reigning king and legend, Karlos Vémola, has accepted a tough challenge in the form of world #45, the hot-headed Irishman Fleury, whose plan to claim Vémola’s belt has been flawless so far. Will he complete his mission, or will Karlos silence him?Ion Surdu:Vémola vs. Fleury—that’s a banger! Vémola is the biggest star in OKTAGON. He’s a champion at 93 kilos and was also the champion at 84 kilos. He’s already a legend. Fleury is an experienced guy with KO power, solid grappling, and good wrestling. I’ll say Vémola wins by submission. If it ends in a knockout, it’ll likely be Fleury, but my pick is Vémola by submission.David Kozma:A really tough opponent for Karlos. Stylistically, he won’t like this matchup. Fleury is big and strong, which will make him hard to take down, and Karlos could tire himself out in the process. But it’s a five-round fight, and I think Karlos will dig deep and pull it off with heart.<oktfightcomponent fightid="1076"></oktfightcomponent><h2>SHARE YOUR PICKS AND WIN €2.5 MILLION!</h2>What about you? What’s your take? Don’t hesitate to share your picks with us! Submit your predictions for free in the Tipsport Gamechanger Challenge and win one of the prizes totaling €1 million, including the grand prize of €100,000. Join the competition <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://tipsportgamechanger.com/cs/challenge/">HERE.</a><okteventcomponent eventid="98"></okteventcomponent>

We asked two welterweight stars for their insights into Sunday’s title fights.

ANALYSIS FROM KOZMA AND SURDU: WHO WILL BECOME THE CHAMPION IN PRAGUE?

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>