Samuel “Pirát” Krištofič has made OKTAGON his home. No wonder, as he has been part of the organization since 2017. Over the years, he has built a reputation as one of the most prominent fighters in the Czech-Slovak scene. During this journey, he has experienced many successes, but also setbacks and falls from which he had to recover. Now, after a year and a half-long break, he returns to remind everyone of what he's capable of.

BEGINNING WITH SPORTS AND MMA

Long before Samuel became a star in Czech-Slovak MMA, he was involved in football and is still a big fan today. His MMA story began in 2015 when he transitioned from Muay Thai to a new discipline under the guidance of Kamil Cibinski at Chaos Gym in Bratislava. However, he truly earned attention in 2017 when he joined OKTAGON MMA, specifically the reality show OKTAGON Výzva II. Even during the reality show, it was clear that Pirát could be a troublesome opponent, both in and out of the cage. In the final of the show, he defeated Radovan Úškrta, becoming the champion of the second season, which brought him into the spotlight. It was his ticket to joining the best fighters in OKTAGON. His humor, charisma, and ability to entertain people, as well as annoy his opponents, were just the cherry on top.

UPS AND DOWNS: KEY MOMENTS IN HIS CAREER

His first title opportunity didn’t take long to arrive – at OKTAGON 11, Pirát faced David Kozma in the main event for the welterweight title. After a five-round battle, Kozma took the victory, and Pirát returned home empty-handed. Over the following years, he always stayed within reach of a title shot, though it continued to elude him. One of the biggest moments in his career came in his fight with Karlos Vémola at OKTAGON 51. Pirát shocked the entire MMA world when he sent "The Terminator" to the canvas with a brutal KO in the first round. This victory not only earned him the Performance of the Night bonus but also gained him respect from fans and the entire MMA community. After this victory, Pirát became an even bigger star, quickly gaining recognition not only from the Czech-Slovak audience but also internationally. Moreover, with the win over Karlos, he broke a two-fight losing streak against Robert Bryczek and Alex Lohoré. Can Pirát build on his last big victory?

SURVIVOR AND RETURN TO THE CAGE

In 2024, Pirát temporarily stepped away from the MMA world to participate in the second season of the reality show Survivor. On the island, he faced not only physical challenges from hunger, extreme weather, and tough physical duels, but also psychological trials that are part of the game. He demonstrated his endurance and resilience, which had always accompanied him in the cage and outside it. Although he didn’t win, he made it to the final five, which was a remarkable achievement! He also gained new fans outside the world of combat sports who discovered him throughout the show.

OKTAGON 70 AND A SECOND CHANCE IN THE TIPSPORT GAMECHANGER

Returning from Survivor wasn’t easy – an injury followed, and training had to stop once again. After a long year and a half, Pirát is finally making his comeback to the cage at OKTAGON 70, which will take place on April 26, 2025, in Karlovy Vary. In the main event of the evening, he will face hungry debutant Dominik Humburger. Pirát won’t have an easy task ahead of him. Dominik is a younger, dynamic, and versatile fighter who has come to play at the highest level. The fight is also crucial for advancing to the next phase of the pyramid, which only one fighter can win. For Krištofič, this is his second attempt in the European Champions League of Tipsport Gamechanger. Last time, his first fight didn’t go well, and he was eliminated in the opening round of the pyramid. Now, he wants to silence his critics in Karlovy Vary and give the newcomer "Hambáč" a tough welcome. Whether it's his wrestling skills or sharp trash talk, Pirát is a fighter who never stays in the shadows.

OUTSIDE THE CAGE

Samuel is known not only as a great fighter but also as someone with a strong personal story. He’s a huge dog lover and spends his free time caring for them. In 2021, he became a father to his daughter Dominika, and in 2022, he married his longtime girlfriend Janka. Less known is the fact that Pirát considers Jiří Procházka, the first Czech UFC champion, as one of his role models and sources of inspiration. After all, both of them share a difficult childhood and adolescence, as well as a path to a better life through combat sports.

April 26, 2025, will be another major moment in Pirát's career. This is one fight you definitely don’t want to miss! You have your last chance to buy tickets or grab our PPV and watch the event from the comfort of your home. OKTAGON 70 starts this Saturday!

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

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