Drei Niederlagen in Folge. Dann ein einziger Sieg, um wieder aufatmen zu können. Und nun eine Insel mitten in der Moldau, wo sich entscheidet, ob es der Beginn eines Comebacks oder nur ein letztes Aufbäumen war. Diese Geschichte gehört nicht nur einem Kämpfer, sondern beiden. Der Publikumsliebling und am längsten amtierende Champion in der Geschichte der Weltergewichtsklasse, David Kozma, kehrt nach acht Jahren nach Štvanice zurück. Ihm gegenüber steht der UFC-, KSW- und PFL-Veteran David Zawada, der am Kampftag seinen 36. Geburtstag feiert und für die perfekte Feier nur noch eines braucht – einen Triumph über die heimische Legende. Die Feierlichkeiten zum zehnjährigen Jubiläum von OKTAGON beginnen am 1. August, und Štvanice wird nur einem der beiden Davids den Weg freimachen.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/4ce3bba5-30e6-46e6-9cc3-337ca8ecaad8/cs.1784119873967.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/86a65fd9-64c3-428f-b72b-59cd0c2250ef/cs.1784119879766.png" link="" croppedcorners="true" enablecornersmobile="false" smallercorners="false"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>DAVID KOZMA: DAS HERZ DER HEIMISCHEN SZENE UND DER ERSTE WELTERGEWICHTSKÖNIG</h2>Für die OKTAGON-Fans ist das nicht einfach nur ein weiterer Name auf der Fightcard. David Kozma (33-15) ist eine absolute Herzensangelegenheit. Sein Weg auf den Thron des Champions war jedoch alles andere als leicht. Als ruhiger Junge aus einer Wohnsiedlung in Karviná hatte er Angst vor Mobbing, weshalb ihn seine Eltern mit sieben Jahren beim Judo anmeldeten, damit er lernen konnte, sich zu verteidigen. Er blieb zehn Jahre dabei und baute sich eine Basis auf, von der er noch heute zehrt. Seit seiner Kindheit trug er gerne Pink und bezeichnete sich selbst als „Pretty Boy“. 2010 begann er professionell zu kämpfen. Jahrelang kämpfte er für kleines Geld, verdiente sich als Nachtwächter etwas dazu, und seine Mutter wollte von seinen Kämpfen absolut nichts wissen, weshalb er seine ersten Pokale im Keller versteckte.Im März 2018 betrat er bei OKTAGON 5 den gelb-schwarzen Käfig und schickte Rafał Lewoń in seiner Heimatstadt Ostrava durch TKO zu Boden. Vier Monate später stand er zum allerersten Mal auf Štvanice. Unter dem Sommerhimmel nahm er bei OKTAGON 7 den Polen Michal Wiencek auseinander, und das auf der exakt gleichen Card, auf der OKTAGON mit Michal Martínek seinen allerersten Champion krönte. Auf seine eigene Krönung musste er nur bis November warten. Bei OKTAGON 10 besiegte er Gábor Boráros durch TKO in der zweiten Runde und wurde der historisch erste Weltergewichts-Champion der Organisation. Es folgte eine außergewöhnliche Ära: 1.477 Tage hielt er den Gürtel, verteidigte ihn fünfmal erfolgreich und ist bis heute der am längsten amtierende Champion der OKTAGON-Geschichte. Nacheinander wehrte er Samuel „Pirát“ Krištofič, Máté Kertész, Bojan Veličković und den legendären Petr „Monster“ Kníže ab. Am meisten spricht man jedoch über die Fünf-Runden-Schlacht gegen Leandro „Apollo“ Silva, die er mit gerissener Zunge und praktisch zugeschwollenen Augen für sich entschied. Genau so baute er sich den Ruf eines Mannes auf, den man nicht brechen kann.Doch alles hat einmal ein Ende. Im Dezember 2022 nahm ihm Kaik Brito den Gürtel ab nach einem harten TKO. Nachdem er im Gamechanger den Choke von Siwiec überstand, Lohoré ausgepunktet und im Halbfinale auf Veličković getroffen war, kassierte er den ersten von drei Knockouts in den ersten Runden. Die nächsten beiden fügten ihm Surdu und Pukač zu, und plötzlich sprach man von einem Glaskinn. Kozma reagierte radikal. Nach dreizehn Jahren verließ er das PriMMAt Gym und wechselte unter André Reinders zu Reinders MMA. Er ließ seinen Kopf untersuchen, begann mit einem Mentaltrainer zu arbeiten und fand heraus, dass das Problem nicht physischer, sondern psychischer Natur war. Die Antwort lieferte er im Februar dieses Jahres in Ostrava, wo er nach einjähriger Pause gegen Jozef Wittner antrat, auf sein Judo vertraute, in jeder Runde einen Takedown lieferte, eine gefährliche Kimura abwehrte und mit einem einstimmigen Sieg den Käfig verließ. Der freie Fall war gestoppt.Und er forderte direkt die Fortsetzung. Noch vor Štvanice forderte er öffentlich Christian Eckerlin heraus, den größten Star des deutschen MMA, der sich 2024 vor 60.000 Zuschauern im Frankfurter Stadion den Titel „König von Deutschland“ geholt hatte und für seine Rückkehr im September an denselben Ort noch keinen Gegner hat. Kozma verkündete, dass er als am längsten amtierender und sechsmaliger OKTAGON-Champion das Recht auf diese Herausforderung habe und sich den siebten Gürtel holen wolle, den er Eckerlin in dessen eigener Heimat abnehmen werde. „Legende aus Deutschland vs. Legende aus Tschechien, lasst es uns tun“, sagte er in den sozialen Medien. Doch zwischen ihm und Frankfurt steht Štvanice. Und dort wartet David Zawada, den er selbst als härteren Test als Eckerlin bezeichnete.<h2>DAVID ZAWADA: GEBURTSTAGSGEFAHR MIT GRANATEN IN DEN HÄNDEN</h2>Auf der anderen Seite des Käfigs steht ein man, den die Familie zum Kampfsport brachte. David Zawada (20-12) wurde in Düsseldorf geboren und mit 19 Jahren von seinem älteren Bruder Martin, selbst ein erfahrener Kämpfer und sein lebenslanges Vorbild, ans Training herangeführt. Seinen Spitznamen verdankt er seinem allerersten Kampf im Jahr 2010. Der rasierte Kopf, die Muay-Thai-Shorts und die KO-Power in seinen Händen erinnerten einen Freund sofort an die Figur Sagat aus dem Kultspiel Street Fighter. Bevor er sich ganz dem Käfig widmete, arbeitete er als Kfz-Gutachter. In Europa sammelte er die Weltergewichts-Gürtel von Respect FC und Shooto, den ISKA-Titel und eine NAGA-Grappling-Meisterschaft, machte sich im polnischen KSW mit fünf Auftritten einen Namen und verdiente sich mit einer Bilanz von 16-3 eine Einladung in die UFC. Dort verbrachte er knapp vier Jahre und holte sich den Skalp von Abubakar Nurmagomedov, dem Cousin von Khabib. Nach seinem Abgang aus der UFC durchlief er auch noch die amerikanische PFL.Im Juni 2022 betrat er bei OKTAGON 33 die Organisation und zerstörte Erhan Kartal in der ersten Runde. Zur gleichen Zeit führte er als Coach die Kämpfer in der Reality-Show OKTAGON Challenge. Sein damaliger Gegenüber als Coach war Christian Eckerlin, sein guter Freund. Also genau der Mann, den sich Kozma als sein nächstes Ziel ausgesucht hat. Anschließend wechselte er vom Weltergewicht eine Division nach oben, wo er gleich bei OKTAGON 53 einen fast verlorenen Kampf gegen Hojat Khajevand mit einem Heel Hook am Ende der dritten Runde drehte. Das Mittelgewicht forderte jedoch seinen Tribut. Marek Mazúch schickte ihn im Fußballstadion Eden nach eindreiviertel Minuten zu Boden, Matěj Peňáz stoppte ihn in der ersten Runde und Kamil Oniszczuk punktete ihn genau hier auf Štvanice aus. Drei Niederlagen in Folge und eine Bilanz von 2-3 in der Organisation.Als viele ihn schon abschrieben, kam im Januar dieses Jahres in seinem heimischen Düsseldorf der Kampf gegen Daniel Ligocki, in den Zawada als Außenseiter ging. Nach fünfzehn Minuten Krieg sicherte sich der Deutsche einen knappen Punktsieg sowie den Bonus für die Performance of the Night und forderte direkt aus dem Käfig heraus einen neuen Vertrag. Er bekam ihn. Und nun kehrt er damit in die Division zurück, die ihn einst bis in die UFC gebracht hat.<oktinstagramcomponent url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaA1wcGMRj3/"></oktinstagramcomponent><h2>WER WIRD STVANICE SEINEN STEMPEL AUFDRÜCKEN?</h2>Die Einsätze sind auf beiden Seiten enorm hoch. Beide betreten den Käfig nach drei Niederlagen in Folge und einem einzigen Comeback-Sieg, beide sind seit 2010 im Geschäft und wissen, dass ein weiterer Patzer nur schwer zu verzeihen wäre. Kozma hat sein Ziel laut ausgesprochen. Er will Zawada aus dem Weg räumen und sich dann in Frankfurt die Krone von Eckerlin holen. Doch genau Zawada kann diesen gesamten Plan auf Eis legen und sich zu seinem 36. Geburtstag einen Erfolg schenken, der ihn zurück ins Spiel bringt. Der eine kehrt auf die Insel zurück, wo er einst seinen Weg zum Gürtel ebnete, der andere an den Ort seiner letzten Niederlage.Das schönste Turnier des Jahres ist zurück! OKTAGON 92 verwandelt das Prager Štvanice am 1. August in eine Open-Air-Arena, und gemeinsam feiern wir das zehnjährige Bestehen des gelb-schwarzen Kolosses. Štvanice ist restlos ausverkauft, aber du verpasst absolut nichts. Verfolge das gesamte Turnier live auf RTL+ und sei live mit uns dabei!<okteventcomponent eventid="132"></okteventcomponent>

Drei Niederlagen in Folge. Dann ein einziger Sieg, um wieder aufatmen zu können. Und nun eine Insel mitten in der Moldau, wo sich entscheidet, ob es der Beginn eines Comebacks oder nur ein letztes Aufbäumen war.

WEG NACH FRANKFURT FÜHRT ÜBER STVANICE: KOZMA TRIFFT AUF VETERAN ZAWADA

A priest who replaced his dad for years. A firefighter and former soldier who has already retired once. Or a Canadian PhD student who is learning Czech out of respect for the fans. Winning Group Arena in Brno will host the 17th OKTAGON tournament in the Moravian metropolis this Saturday, September 12. Dive with us into the interesting facts hidden behind the names on the fight card.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/a853c9ff-872d-4ffa-9903-b50a1bd2132f/cs.1788959201146.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/5e5dc17f-f33b-4219-a8e8-0bb45e88a9e5/cs.1788959296432.png" link="" croppedcorners="true" enablecornersmobile="false" smallercorners="false"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>LOCAL FAVORITE IN A HEATED MAIN EVENT</h2>The main event has escalated into a very personal dispute. Local favorite Radek "Ruchy" Roušal (7-2) goes into battle with a streak of 504 days undefeated and four KOs in a row. Moreover, he is headlining a main event for the first time. Opposite him stands Jonas "Shark" Mågård (19-7), a former bantamweight champion who moved to the featherweight division with the message "I AM THE TITLE!" However, his psychological warfare crossed the boundaries of standard trash talk long ago. On social media, he even targeted Roušal's girlfriend, influencer Nela Slováková, which caused a storm and turned pre-fight "teasing" into a personal conflict.<h2>FROM THE STREET TO A BARE-KNUCKLE BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP</h2>Josef "Berserker" Hála (5-0 in bare-knuckle boxing) has a story like something out of a movie. His father was a notorious street brawler. The criminal police reportedly visited him as early as elementary school. He carried aggression within himself that he had nowhere to channel for a long time, until he discovered combat sports. Last year, he became the first Czech BKFC champion. "For starting bare-knuckle just for fun, things got a bit out of hand," Hála says with a smile. He made his OKTAGON debut in Liberec, where he defeated Tomáš Mudroch via KO in the second round. Right from his first appearance in the organization, his natural presence made him a massive fan favorite. Standing in his way in Brno will be Radovan Úškrt (9-6). A sniper with a 100% finish rate. He has finished his opponents via KO nine times, with eight of those coming in the very first round.<h2>A PRIEST INSTEAD OF A FATHER AND A REUNION IN STUTTGART</h2>Daniel Ligocki (5-3) grew up without a dad. For years, the role of his father was replaced by a priest who introduced him to Japanese jiu-jitsu and shaped him for ten years. Today, Ligocki heads this style in the Czech Republic himself. The priest, who in his own way replaced his father for many years, still goes to his corner to this day. Before Ligocki entered a tournament in Stuttgart last March, he found out that his biological father lives in Germany. He tracked him down and invited him to his fight. The father came and saw his son fight in the cage for the first time in his life.<h2>A PHD STUDENT LEARNING CZECH VS. A SEASONED CHAMPION</h2>Alana "Alanamal" Cook (6-2), the first Canadian woman in OKTAGON history, is a student at the University of British Columbia outside the cage, where she is completing her PhD in kinesiology. As a member of the Métis, one of Canada's Indigenous peoples, her research focuses on the decolonization and indigenization of MMA—integrating Indigenous knowledge, cultures, and values into the sports environment. "Honestly, fighting is almost a break from working on my PhD," she says with a smile. Through her own non-profit organization Walking Like Warriors, she teaches Indigenous women self-defense, and at weigh-ins, she wears a red handprint over her face to support the movement for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Out of respect for Czech fans, she is also diligently learning Czech. In her free time, she loves solving crosswords.Facing her will be Niamh "The British Razor" Kinehan (2-0), a Manchester native who became the first woman in history to unify titles across the three most prestigious Muay Thai organizations. After a serious injury, doctors told her she would probably never fight again. A few months later, she was standing in the OKTAGON cage.<h2>A WRESTLING CHAMPION AND A CAGE ESCAPE ARTIST</h2>Andrej "Vagabund" Kalašnik (13-6) will make his middleweight debut. You might not have known that he is also a four-time Czech freestyle wrestling champion. In addition, he is the first fighter to submit the "immortal" Jungwirth with a choke, doing so in just 63 seconds. The card will also feature Vlado Lengál (9-7), whom many a magician might envy. He has managed to escape deep submissions and chokes in OKTAGON sixteen times, which is more than anyone else in the entire organization.<h2>A FIREFIGHTER IN THE CAGE AND A CASHIER WHO KICKS LIKE A KILLER</h2>Vojtěch "Slezský rytíř" Garba risks his neck in civilian life as a firefighter and previously earned a living as a professional soldier. He holds a victory over Goran Reljić, the man who once defeated the legendary Attila Végh. Facing him is the predator Robert Lau, whose eleven victories to date have all come inside the distance. Also appearing is Nathan "Little Red" Haywood (4-2), a supermarket cashier outside the cage, and inside the cage, the author of one of the most terrifying spinning hook kicks OKTAGON has ever witnessed.<h2>YOU HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT THIS YET</h2><ul><li>Seven fighters on the card—Roušal, Kalašnik, Lengál, Dohnal, Ligocki, Haywood, and Bruknar—appeared at the last tournament in Brno. Roušal and Kalašnik have even competed in three consecutive Brno tournaments.</li><li>Šimon "Hobit" Bruknar (5-1) has over 400 fights to his credit in other disciplines. He started judo back in 2006.</li><li>Mågård's signature finish is the so-called Japanese necktie—he has finished five opponents with it.</li><li>Vojto Barborík holds the two fastest submissions in OKTAGON featherweight history, was the winner of the historic 200th fight decided on points, and also featured in the organization's milestone 400th fight.</li><li>Murat Tüysüz has a rich kickboxing background—he compiled a 24-3 record in K1 and holds a world champion title.</li></ul>Brno will experience a spectacular MMA show once again! The OKTAGON 93 tournament kicks off on September 12 at the Winning Group Arena, offering a night full of stories you simply couldn't make up. Secure your seat in the stands and witness it live! Buy your tickets via the link below.<okteventcomponent eventid="136"></okteventcomponent>

A priest who replaced his dad for years. A firefighter and former soldier who has already retired once. Or a Canadian PhD student who is learning Czech out of respect for the fans. Winning Group Arena in Brno will host the 17th OKTAGON tournament.

INTERESTING FACTS FROM THE BRNO CARD: A SUPERMARKET CASHIER OR A CANADIAN LEARNING CZECH

He retired four years ago. After his return, a series of defeats followed. Now, however, Vojtěch Garba has a successful OKTAGON debut behind him and, in his own words, wants to reach the very top. But standing in his way to a second victory in the organization is the dangerous German Robert Lau, whose eleven victories all finished before the limit. The OKTAGON 93 tournament will erupt on September 12 at the Winning Group Arena in Brno.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/1365b708-1919-48cf-903b-f0e759d0b733/cs.1788890415308.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/6df68509-04e6-4837-990d-095531c5f6db/cs.1788890419738.png" link="" croppedcorners="true" enablecornersmobile="false" smallercorners="false"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>GLOVES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CAGE</h2>In 2022, Garba defeated experienced Croatian veteran Goran Reljić on points, but a few months later he lost on points to Brazilian Bruce Souto and symbolically placed his gloves in the middle of the Oktagon cage, announcing his retirement. "I guess it was some kind of burnout, emotions... I needed to sort my life out a bit. It was poorly presented, I would probably call it a break instead," Garba explains today regarding his decision back then. The break did not last long. In May 2023, he returned and immediately defeated Zsolt Balla by technical knockout in the first round. "I rested, everything fell into place as it should, and I got hooked again," he describes the comeback.<h2>THREE LOSSES AND A NEW HOME IN POLAND</h2>However, the comeback was accompanied by a series of three consecutive losses. First, he lost on points to Michał Dreczkowski, then to Maciej Różański, and finally came a TKO from Alejandro Arcas. "It was a challenging period. I didn't have much fight pace, and even though I was working at 120% all the time, some detail was always missing. After the second loss, I changed a lot, pushed even harder, and even though everything looked great, the third loss came. That was a sporting tragedy for me. However, I kept working, got a chance in OKTAGON, and seized it. I believed the whole time that I would turn the streak around," Garba describes.Today, he trains at the Polish gym Berserkers Team Bielsko-Biała. "There are a lot of very high-quality guys in Berserkers, not only in my weight class, who also have great results. Here in Silesia, finding big guys who are comprehensive in MMA is simply a problem. I'm definitely not saying we don't have any here, they are just not in one place, and there are fewer of them than in Poland. In my eyes, MMA in Poland is something of a national sport, and that reflects on the quality of the training. I enjoy growing," Garba explains his move across the border.<h2>DREAM DEBUT UNDER THE YELLOW-AND-BLACK FLAG</h2>At the OKTAGON 87 tournament in Liberec this April, Garba defeated Mateusz Strzelczyk by technical knockout in the very first round, passing his debut in the organization with flying colors. "For me, it was a dream debut. I didn't doubt myself, I worked physically and mentally, and the fight showed me that I have what it takes. That the consistency paid off and that one must never give up. I take it as a reward for all the hard work, and I am grateful to OKTAGON for this opportunity," Garba looks back. Speaking without hesitation about where he wants to take his career in the organization: "I want to reach the top. I know the road is still long and thorny, but I am slowly getting there."<h2>FIREFIGHTER, SOLDIER, KNIGHT</h2>Outside the cage, Garba has long been associated with a uniform. He graduated from the University of Defence in Brno and worked for years as a professional soldier; today he works as a firefighter. "My typical day in preparation is a routine just like any fighter who is serious about it. In short, it's 2 training sessions a day, diet, recovery. Plus family on top of that. I manage the firefighter profession, and the preparation reflects positively on it. Thanks to it, I am physically in peak shape at work, which is a huge advantage and necessity. We do 24-hour shifts every third day and have time off in between. This regime suits me," Garba describes his routine. Thanks to his military past, he says he clarified his priorities.He has worn his nickname "Silesian Knight" for years, though he no longer remembers its exact origin. "I am from Silesia. Knight probably because I have always cared about a fair and honorable fight. I don't remember exactly how it came about." Before entering the cage, he sticks to one clear habit: "My habit is to go into the fight with the mindset of enjoying it. I don't really believe in rituals, but in some situations outside of fights, I am a bit superstitious."<oktinstagramcomponent url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbJWQ1TsQjp/"></oktinstagramcomponent><h2>GERMAN PREDATOR IN THE WAY</h2>Standing in Garba's way to his second OKTAGON victory is Robert Lau, who has built a reputation as a fierce finisher over a long career across the European scene. All eleven of his victories finished before the limit. Garba himself does not hide his respect for his opponent: "He is definitely a dangerous opponent, and I like to measure myself against such fighters. His strongest side will definitely be his hunger for victory and his desire to get through me into the light heavyweight rankings. He will definitely threaten mainly in the stand-up, so I will have to be on guard."To the fans heading to Brno, Garba sends a clear message: "I would like to thank every single person who comes to the venue to support us. I am grateful for it, and I can't wait for the atmosphere already. THANK YOU!"OKTAGON 93 will shake Brno's Winning Group Arena on September 12. Don't miss Garba's second start in the organization. In addition, names like Kalašnik, Hála, Lengál, or Roušal await you. Secure your seat in the stands and be there! Buy tickets at the link below.<okteventcomponent eventid="136"></okteventcomponent>

He retired four years ago. After his return, a series of defeats followed. Now, however, Vojtěch Garba has a successful OKTAGON debut behind him and, in his own words, wants to reach the very top.

HE RETIRED YEARS AGO, NOW HE WANTS TO REACH THE VERY TOP: GARBA FACES ROBERT LAU IN BRNO

A clash of predatory youth and immense experience promises an earthquake in the cage. Frankfurt's monumental Deutsche Bank Park stadium will witness the ultimate test of generational talent Fedor Duric on September 26, as he aims to shine in front of nearly sixty thousand spectators. However, standing in his way is British threat Marc "Bonecrusher" Diakiese, who battled the world's elite for years and is now aiming for a successful promotional debut. Will Duric defend his home turf, or will the seasoned veteran cut short the German hopes?<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/90710098-6796-4d4f-8510-d9bc92a4923d/cs.1788440990107.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/c360d631-2108-49f2-8fb7-c62b4f99a538/cs.1788441002730.png" link="" croppedcorners="true" enablecornersmobile="false" smallercorners="false"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>FEDOR DURIC: YOUNG BLOOD AND THE GERMAN HOPE</h2>For many fans, Duric is a great hope of the European MMA scene. Only twenty-two years old, Fedor Duric (9 - 1), a fighter of Balkan descent residing in Frankfurt, was practically destined for combat sports. His father, a massive MMA fan, named him after the legendary Fedor Emelianenko. And the young representative of the elite local gym MMA Spirit certainly does his name justice. Although he has solid roots in kickboxing, he has evolved into a well-rounded fighter with excellent grappling. He burst into the professional cage with unprecedented aggressiveness. Out of his nine victories, he finished four by submission and three by KO or TKO.He entered the yellow-and-black cage in December 2024 at OKTAGON 64. Taking the bout against Jan Stanovský on short notice, he secured a dominant decision debut. He has since earned three victories in the organization. His sole career loss was handed to him by Predrag Bogdanović at OKTAGON 69, where Duric was defeated in a close decision. Fedor delivered his most recent victory this February in Ostrava. He finished local fighter Tomáš Mudroch in the second round after some brutal ground and pound, securing third place in the lightweight rankings. Often described as a generational talent, he now faces the toughest test of his career so far on his home turf.<h2>MARC DIAKIESE: THE SEASONED VETERAN'S OKTAGON DEBUT</h2>On the other side stands a man who has traversed the global stage. Thirty-three-year-old Marc "Bonecrusher" Diakiese (18 - 8) had to fight hard for his path to the very top. As a boy, he emigrated from Congo to Doncaster, UK, where he overcame language barriers and searched for his own purpose. Combat sports saved him from trouble, and he soon demonstrated his undeniable potential. He didn't get his impressive moniker "Bonecrusher" by accident; in his early days, he literally broke his opponents. He became the BAMMA champion and earned a call-up to the UFC, where he spent seven long years and competed in fifteen matches. During his overseas campaign, among other things, he faced Drakkar Klos in the final of “The Ultimate Fighter 25. In the cage, he also measured forces with names like Rafael Fiziev or Dan Hooker.The British warrior is now heading to OKTAGON after stints in PFL and Bellator, planning to make his presence felt in the title picture. He even recently opened his own gym in Doncaster. He brings a wealth of experience from fighting the world's top talent to the cage. His style is an attractive blend of wrestling and dynamic striking, where he constantly threatens with dangerous kicks. Six of his eighteen victories came via devastating KOs. Now, he is heading to Frankfurt to claim the scalp of the rising talent.<oktinstagramcomponent url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DZnOUa1lM4p/"></oktinstagramcomponent><h2>WILL THE FRANKFURT TALENT STOP THE SEASONED VETERAN?</h2>This matchup pits Diakiese, currently ranked 100th in the world lightweight rankings, against Duric, who sits at 227th. The clash promises a highly attractive battle of generations. While twenty-two-year-old Duric has ten professional bouts under his belt, Diakiese has completed twenty-six, facing the global elite. Can the Frankfurt talent master his biggest fight yet and maintain the pressure against a fighter whom no one could knock out during his entire UFC career? Or will the British heavy hitter utilize his experience to the fullest, withstand the hostile crowd's pressure, and break the roaring home favorite in front of tens of thousands of fans?The celebrations of ten years of the yellow-and-black colossus will culminate in Frankfurt. The OKTAGON 94 tournament will light up Frankfurt's Deutsche Bank Park on September 26, offering an unforgettable MMA festival for sixty thousand spectators. You cannot miss this opportunity! Don't wait and secure your seat in the stands. You can purchase tickets at the link below.<okteventcomponent eventid="125"></okteventcomponent>

A clash of predatory youth and immense experience promises an earthquake in the cage. Frankfurt's monumental Deutsche Bank Park stadium will witness the ultimate test of generational talent Fedor Duric on September 26.

LOCAL PHENOMENON'S TRIAL BY FIRE: DURIC FACES BONECRUSHER IN FRANKFURT

As a little boy, he fell asleep to the pulsing bass from the venue below his room. Instead of fairy tales, he listened to stories about a district where the rawest face of the metropolis hides right next to banking towers. More than thirty years later, he is one of Europe's most dangerous fighters. On September 26, Max „Mad“ Coga returns to Frankfurt's Deutsche Bank Park to challenge the indestructible Christian Jungwirth after a two-year hiatus. Read the story of a man who lives two different lives at once.<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/4d46ce9f-bb95-4b9e-b9e1-c0e9ca90126a/cs.1788270888551.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/c13e3405-0e5b-40a2-b69d-b98a3c515362/cs.1788270895124.png" link="" croppedcorners="true" enablecornersmobile="false" smallercorners="false"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>CHILD OF THE RED-LIGHT DISTRICT</h2>Coga was born on June 24, 1989, into a family with a very specific legacy. His grandfather Hermann Gauß founded the legendary Frankfurt venue Pik Dame on Elbestraße in 1959. His father Oliver later took over the club along with his uncle Thorsten. The beginning of Max's story took place directly inside it. His mother Maria worked as a dancer in the club in her youth, so Coga grew up from childhood in an environment that most parents wouldn't want to show their children. „I saw naked skin early on. It was completely normal for me. Even as a child, I knew what was going on,“ he describes his unconventional childhood.It was his mother who, when he was six years old and after a school fight, signed him up for martial arts with a clear message: „I don't want a weakling for a son.“ Coga listened, and the discipline from training soon became a solid anchor for him in Frankfurt's Bahnhofsviertel, where drugs and crime met the world of business and hard work ethic daily.<h2>HOME AND CLUB UNDER ONE ROOF</h2>When the time came to take over the family business, Coga didn't want to choose between sports and business. He wanted both. Since June 2021, he has been running Pik Dame alongside his father and uncle, while living directly above the club with his brother and closest friends. „Anyone who wants privacy is in the completely wrong place here. It's an impulsive, crazy house. But the people who live here manage it,“ Coga describes his household.He summed up his double life by comparing himself to the comic book hero Batman. By day, he belongs to the elite of European MMA and holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; after dark, however, he turns into the host of one of Frankfurt's most iconic venues. Throughout his career, his home has remained a single gym, Frankfurt's MMA Spirit, where he still trains alongside German star Christian Eckerlin.<h2>A JOURNEY ACROSS CONTINENTS</h2>Coga entered the professional cage in April 2011 and quickly built a reputation as a fierce finisher. Over a career spanning more than fifteen years, he has amassed a record of 27 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw, finishing an incredible 23 of his 27 victories before the limit. He gradually collected titles in the Respect FC, Fair FC, Superior FC, and NFC organizations. „I decided to really leave a mark,“ Coga recalls.In 2018, he debuted under the banner of the American organization PFL directly in New York's Madison Square Garden, where he lost on points to Timur Valiev. Just six weeks later, however, he bounced back and TKO victory stopped former Bellator bantamweight champion Marcos Galvão. He then appeared in the German organization GMC, and at the end of 2020, he headed to Poland's KSW, where he lost a close decision on points in a hard-fought battle with Daniel Torres. In 2022, he added a stint in Bahrain's Brave CF before finally returning to fight at home for the first time in fifteen years. By winning the NFC lightweight title, he added a second belt to his featherweight title, becoming a long-awaited double champion.<h2>AN OKTAGON DEBUT THAT COST HIM TWO YEARS</h2>When OKTAGON was preparing the spectacular OKTAGON 62 event at the Frankfurt stadium in the autumn of 2024, the local Coga couldn't be missing from the card. He faced Antun Račić, a Croatian veteran whom he had already defeated eleven years prior. The rematch was even more decisive. Coga literally dismantled his opponent in the second round with a series of knees and punches, securing a TKO victory at 1:40 directly in front of his home crowd.But behind the dominance lay pain that nobody knew about. Coga had broken his right hand in the very first round. However, he told no one about the compound fracture and fought the match to the end. „I'm fine. I'm very happy. Nothing could have discouraged me from fighting to the bitter end,“ he said shortly after the win, before heading for emergency surgery the next day. Three more operations followed, including a bone transplant, along with long months of rehabilitation during which he practically had to learn how to fight again—this time with his leading left hand instead of his natural right. „I had to sharpen other weapons to be able to fight at this level again,“ Coga describes the transformation of his style.<oktinstagramcomponent url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ0k648MvJP/"></oktinstagramcomponent><h2>RETURN TO THE STADIUM</h2>After nearly two years outside the cage, Coga is not making a cautious return at OKTAGON 94. He is stepping straight into the welterweight division—one category higher than where he last competed in OKTAGON, and effectively two categories higher than where he won most of his championship belts. Standing in his way will be Christian 'The Kelt' Jungwirth, the Stuttgart warrior who earned his nickname for his legendary chin and endless cardio. He has long been ranked among the most durable and relentless fighters who never stop pushing forward in the cage.Coga speaks openly about what keeps driving him after so many years and injuries. „For me, MMA is pure fascination. Every fight is a puzzle with new challenges. Success comes through adaptation, courage, and finding solutions, just like in real life,“ he says. He is fully aware of the risks. „Every fight could be the last. That's why I will fight as if it were exactly this one. I will leave absolutely everything in the cage,“ adds the man who returns to the cage in the very place where he suffered the most severe injury of his career two years ago.Frankfurt's Deutsche Bank Park will once again transform on September 26 into the venue for one of the world's biggest MMA nights and will be the final stop of the spectacular celebrations of OKTAGON's tenth anniversary. You can't afford to miss this MMA show. You can buy tickets at the link below.<okteventcomponent eventid="125"></okteventcomponent>

As a little boy, he fell asleep to the pulsing bass from the venue below his room. Instead of fairy tales, he listened to stories about a district where the rawest face of the metropolis hides right next to banking towers.

LORD OF THE NIGHT AND THE CAGE: MAD MAX COGA RETURNS

Don't expect a judges' decision here. Two machines who only know how to win by KO are heading into the cage. The historically first Czech BKFC champion, Josef „Berserker" Hála, is entering his second test under the special Stand &amp; Bang rules. On the other side, he is faced by Radovan Úškrt, a feared Slovak tough guy and organization veteran who has never won a fight in his career other than before the final bell. The OKTAGON 93 tournament will bring a ruthless war of two strikers to Brno's Winning Group Arena on September 12. Will the Slovak finisher stop the unstoppable Hála, or will the Czech phenomenon secure another victory in front of a roaring arena?<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/ac358fb2-16f4-4946-bd83-5d0318503995/cs.1787832004943.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/0be88638-a854-412c-a7fc-78def4d6b49b/cs.1787832009384.png" link="" croppedcorners="true" enablecornersmobile="false" smallercorners="false"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>JOSEF „BERSERKER" HÁLA: FROM THE STREETS TO THE EUROPEAN THRONE</h2>The thirty-one-year-old representative of SK Fightpro Strakonice was never your typical boy next door. With his signature phlegmatic perspective, he admits that the police used to bring him home regularly when he was a kid, and he ultimately channeled this street grit into a career in combat sports. He started in traditional boxing, where he racked up dozens of tough fights. He briefly tried his hand at amateur MMA, but injured knees prevented him from continuing. And so, he threw himself fully into bare-knuckle boxing.Hála took the emerging Czech bare-knuckle scene by storm and quickly became a terror in the domestic organization Valhalla Fighting. He crowned his run by winning the title and securing a legendary victory in the „Battle for the King of Čimelice“ against Martin Pavlíček. He finished all of his opponents inside the distance, and this sheer dominance opened doors for him worldwide, soon catching the attention of the prestigious Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). Following a dominant debut, he got his chance of a lifetime in October 2025. In Rome, he faced the local favorite, Francesco Ricchi, for the European middleweight championship belt. After four knockdowns, the fight ended in the third round via TKO. „It's home, we are bringing the belt to the Czech Republic,“ he announced to the nation back then, cementing his status as a phenomenon.He entered the OKTAGON cage for the first time this April at the OKTAGON 87 tournament in Liberec, where under Stand &amp; Bang rules he finished Tomáš Mudroch at 1:48 of the second round. A single appearance was all it took for fans to make Hála one of the most popular names in the entire organization. His relaxed and entertaining personality quickly turned him into a social media star.<h2>RADOVAN ÚŠKRT: SLOVAK VETERAN WITH GRENADES IN HIS HANDS</h2>Bratislava native Radovan Úškrt ranks among the seasoned veterans of OKTAGON, with a career that intertwines with the very beginnings of the organization. He made his professional debut back in February 2014, facing none other than Marvin Vettori, who would later become a UFC star. He gained wider popularity three years later as a participant in the second season of the reality show OKTAGON Výzva, where he knocked down Pavel Simandl in the quarterfinals and Pavel Salčák in the semifinals, before falling short in the finals against Samuel Krištofič. Outside of the cage, he is a passionate hunter and gun enthusiast.He has fought ten professional bouts in OKTAGON and currently holds a 7 - 5 record within the organization. He also participated in the million-euro Tipsport Gamechanger tournament, where he lost on points to Melvin van Suijdam. His record is unique: all nine of his career victories were delivered inside the distance via KO or TKO, eight of them in the very first round. In OKTAGON, he has suffered six losses, including defeats against Máté Kertész, Petr Kníže, or Daniel Schwindt.Following two defeats, he returned to winning ways this June in Bratislava, finishing Ondřej Raška in the first round with a left hook. He heads to Brno with his sights set on a milestone tenth career knockout. It was in Brno, at the OKTAGON 35 tournament, where he knocked down Denis Kurdinov at 1:12 of the first round.<oktinstagramcomponent url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaLWweWsZr1/"></oktinstagramcomponent><h2>KO MACHINES IN THE CAGE</h2>Both men are strikers through and through, and both boast records made up solely of knockouts. A judges' decision simply isn't in their vocabulary. In Brno, they will face off under Stand &amp; Bang rules—meaning pure boxing in small gloves, scheduled for 3x3 minutes, with no elbows. In other words, there will be no waiting, circling, or playing it safe. This will be a battle where a single precise blow is all it takes. Which of these two tough guys will stay standing longer?OKTAGON returns to Brno, and you simply cannot miss it. Look forward to stars of the domestic scene, including Andrej Kalašnik, Vlado Lengál, or Radek Roušal, who will face former champion Jonas Mågård in the main event. OKTAGON 93 is set to electrify Brno's Winning Group Arena on September 12. You can buy tickets at the link below.<okteventcomponent eventid="136"></okteventcomponent>

Don't expect a judges' decision here. Two machines who only know how to win by KO are heading into the cage. The historically first Czech BKFC champion, Josef „Berserker" Hála, is entering his second test under the special Stand & Bang rules. On the other side, he is faced by Radovan Úškrt.

A FIGHT WHERE YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO BLINK: HÁLA TO CLASH WITH ÚŠKRT IN BRNO

One is among the biggest European MMA legends; the other became a star literally overnight. Now, both will meet in the cage. Karlos Vémola and Frédéric Vosgröne are preparing for a high-stakes showdown where everything is on the line. How is their training camp going, and what is driving them as they head to the football stadium in Frankfurt? Find out in the first episode of Celebrity Series, available now on our YouTube channel!<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/9888bcd0-106b-4d02-a08e-c1eb7fe9bc27/cs.1787770756265.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/37410bd9-b434-40aa-8e45-ddda6eae6f43/cs.1787770763430.png" link="" croppedcorners="true" enablecornersmobile="false" smallercorners="false"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>SHOCKING CHALLENGE ACCEPTED</h2>Karlos Vémola has been traveling from tournament to tournament as a commentator essentially since retiring from professional competition. However, at OKTAGON 90 in Cologne, he was reminded of what it feels like to stand in the cage face-to-face with an opponent. Frédéric Vosgröne challenged him during a break, and the Czech "Terminator" decided to accept the challenge from the German phenomenon.The age gap between the two fighters is a staggering 11 years, while the difference in their number of professional bouts stands at 42. That isn't just an interesting statistic—it's a statement. Vémola turned professional in 2008, an era when Spotify was just being founded, the iPhone 3G had just hit the market, and the world was navigating a global financial crisis.By contrast, "The Neanderthal" Vosgröne is a phenomenon of the modern era. An accomplished and decorated grappler, he decided to transition to MMA just two years ago. However, he truly burst onto the scene last April at OKTAGON 69 in Dortmund when he submitted Jorick Montagnac. His star skyrocketed overnight, instantly making him one of the most followed domestic fighters.<h2>PREPARATION IS IN FULL SWING</h2>With exactly one month remaining until fight night, training camp for both fighters is reaching its peak. After years of competing, Vémola knows precisely how he needs to prepare. He is touring multiple gyms across the Czech Republic, taking the absolute best from each. Despite his age and extended layoff, he looks in incredible shape, proving once again that his willpower and work ethic are second to none.Vosgröne has headed to the renowned Ilbay Sport Gym under head coach Garip Ilbay to fine-tune his striking—the discipline where the long-time grappler has the most ground to make up. However, Vémola isn't known for his stand-up game either. Both fighters rely heavily on their grappling, making it all the more intriguing to see who will be able to impose their will inside the cage.The first episode of Celebrity Series is out now on our YouTube channel. Watch Episode 1 for an insider look at both fighters' preparation and get ready for one of the biggest fights of the year!<oktyoutubecomponent url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBTZHTlSeYA"></oktyoutubecomponent>

One is among the biggest European MMA legends; the other became a star literally overnight. Now, both will meet in the cage. Karlos Vémola and Frédéric Vosgröne are preparing for a high-stakes showdown where everything is on the line.

BATTLE OF GENERATIONS: CELEBRITY SERIES GOES BEHIND THE SCENES OF VÉMOLA VS. VOSGRÖNE

One ruled his division for 1,477 days. The other was crowned the "King of Germany" in front of 59,148 spectators in the very same stadium OKTAGON is now returning to. Frankfurt's Deutsche Bank Park will host a collision of two kings on September 26, 2026, as part of the organization's tenth anniversary. David "Pink Panther" Kozma, the longest-reigning champion in OKTAGON history, challenged legendary Christian Eckerlin to a stadium showdown. A Czech legend against a German legend, in a stadium that has already rewritten world records. Who will walk out of the cage victorious?<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/c8393d38-bca1-4942-a35e-be76a8d4633e/cs.1787656841024.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/844c2f68-e7ba-485c-8c1c-436c93432acf/cs.1787656846420.png" link="" croppedcorners="true" enablecornersmobile="false" smallercorners="false"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>CHRISTIAN ECKERLIN: FROM THE FOOTBALL PITCH TO THE TITLE OF KING OF GERMANY</h2>On the other side stands a man brought into the cage not by the mat, but by the green pitch. Christian Eckerlin (18–8) was born in Erbach near Frankfurt and as a youngster fought his way up to the third-league A-team of SV Darmstadt 98. At the age of 21, however, he decided to leave football behind. He channeled his energy into combat sports and stepped into the cage as a professional for the first time in September 2009. Since then, he has built his home at Frankfurt's MMA Spirit gym.He entered OKTAGON in December 2021 at OKTAGON 29, where he defeated Ioannis Palaiologos by submission. Six months later, he faced Brazilian specialist Denilson Neves de Oliveira. After the fight, the GEMMAF commission overturned his victory to a "No Contest" based on video evidence due to a referee's misjudgement. Eckerlin didn't let injustice stop him and submitted the Brazilian in the fourth round of their rematch at OKTAGON 36. He paved his path to the top with further victories, including one over Miroslav Brož at OKTAGON 57 in Frankfurt's Festhalle.The absolute peak came in October 2024. At OKTAGON 62 right at Deutsche Bank Park, he fought a five-round war with Christian Jungwirth before a record crowd of 59,148 spectators who set a world record for MMA event attendance. He won convincingly on points and was crowned the "King of Germany" right in the cage.&nbsp;In June 2025 in Hamburg at OKTAGON 73, he was stopped hard in the third round by Robert Pukač, and four months later in Cologne at OKTAGON 78, Ivica Trušček added another TKO defeat. The Frankfurt King refused to be broken, however. This March in Hamburg, he outpointed Matouš Kohout and returned to winning ways.Shortly after Kozma's victory over Zawada, Eckerlin responded and accepted the challenge. Just a few days later, the fight was officially confirmed. In subsequent interviews with German media, the Frankfurt King made it clear that he sees the Czech veteran as an even tougher test than Jungwirth was. "There is no better opponent for the stadium for me," declared Eckerlin. Against Kozma, he will step into his 28th professional fight of his career and defend not only his crown, but also his home turf, where he became a legend.<h2>DAVID "PINK PANTHER" KOZMA: FORMER CHAMPION WHO ROSE FROM THE ASHES</h2>David Kozma (34–15) is the living history of the organization. As a quiet boy from a housing estate in Karviná, he was afraid of bullying, so his parents enrolled him in judo at age seven so he could defend himself. He stuck with it for ten years, building a foundation he still relies on today. He always liked wearing pink and, by his own account, was a bit of a "show-off," earning him the nickname "Pink Panther". He began competing professionally in December 2010, earning just small money for fights for years while working night shifts as a security guard.He entered the yellow-and-black cage in March 2018 at OKTAGON 5, finishing Rafał Lewoń via TKO in Ostrava. He waited only until November for his coronation, when at OKTAGON 10 he defeated Gábor Boráros via second-round TKO and became the first-ever welterweight champion of the organization. He then sat on the throne for an unbelievable 1,477 days and defended the belt five times, including victories over Samuel "Pirát" Krištofič, Máté Kertész, and the legendary Petr "Monster" Kníže. Most talked about, however, is his five-round war with Leandro "Apollo" Silva, which he snatched with a torn tongue and practically swollen-shut eyes. To this day, he is the longest-reigning champion in OKTAGON history and holds the organization's record for takedowns (56) as well as total fight time in title bouts (2 hours 17 minutes 50 seconds).Late 2022 brought a fall. Kaik Brito took his belt after a brutal TKO, starting the darkest chapter of his career: a streak of three first-round knockouts suffered against Bojan Veličković, Ion Surdu, and Robert Pukač. Kozma responded radically. After thirteen years, he left PriMMAt Gym and moved under André Reinders at Reinders MMA, had his head checked, and began working with a mental coach. It turned out the problem was not physical, but mental. This February at OKTAGON 84 in his home city of Ostrava, he faced Jozef Wittner, leaned on his judo, secured a unanimous decision with ice-cold composure, and halted the free fall.&nbsp;Even before his August bout with David Zawada at Štvanice in Prague, he declared a bold goal on social media. "German legend against Czech legend, let's make it happen," he messaged Eckerlin. A loss to Zawada would have meant the definitive end of any Frankfurt dreams. But Kozma completed his home assignment flawlessly, outcontrolling his opponent on the ground to surpass previous record-holder Karlos Vémola and become the fighter with the most control time on the mat in OKTAGON history, before defeating the German 30:27 on all scorecards. As soon as the decision echoed through the arena, he grabbed the microphone and repeated the challenge: "I want Christian Eckerlin." Now, in his jubilee 50th professional fight, he is going after the scalp of the German legend right in Eckerlin's home palace.<oktinstagramcomponent url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbjFJc-MT4u/"></oktinstagramcomponent><h2>TWO CROWNS, ONE CAGE</h2>The stakes are high on both sides. Kozma is a grappler with the highest number of takedowns in OKTAGON history and bottomless endurance proven in five-round championship wars. Eckerlin is a complete fighter with dynamite in his hands, driven by tens of thousands of local fans. A clash of two legends and two different paths will unfold in the place that has already rewritten world records. Will Kozma conquer the German throne, or will Eckerlin defend his crown on home soil?Ten years of the yellow-and-black colossus will culminate where OKTAGON broke the world attendance record. OKTAGON 94 will light up Frankfurt's Deutsche Bank Park on September 26, and you can't miss it. Tickets for the biggest tournament of the year can be found at the link below.<okteventcomponent eventid="125"></okteventcomponent>

One ruled his division for 1,477 days. The other was crowned the "King of Germany" in front of 59,148 spectators in the very same stadium OKTAGON is now returning to. Frankfurt's Deutsche Bank Park will host a collision of two kings on September 26, 2026.

KING OF GERMANY VERSUS SIX-TIME CHAMPION: ECKERLIN TO FACE KOZMA IN FRANKFURT

He was only two years old when he arrived in Brno from Ukraine with his parents and had to learn among local boys how to fight for his place. Thirty years later, he is one of the most popular and visible faces of OKTAGON. Andrej "Vagabund" Kalashnik will step into the ring on September 12 at OKTAGON 93 against German fighter Kennedy "Bomaye" Rayomba. Read the story of the fighter and showman who became "Vagabund".<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/67de866b-ef82-4380-bfa3-1c96619aa4e5/cs.1787396322359.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/1df66f3c-f8c3-4a31-a121-f8d093054306/cs.1787396329852.png" link="" croppedcorners="true" enablecornersmobile="false" smallercorners="false"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>UKRAINIAN MORAVIAN</h2>The family emigrated in the mid-nineties, when Kalashnik was only two years old. "In the nineties, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was an economic crisis, it was the wild nineties, so we moved here for a better life," he explains today. A little boy who didn't speak a word of Czech had to assert himself in the Brno group. "I had to show that I belonged here and build respect," he describes his first years in the new country. Today, with perspective, he calls himself "Ukrainian Moravian".He was introduced to sports by his father, who took him as a boy to Bobycentrum, a Brno "fortress" where the toughest Muay Thai battles took place at the time. Wrestling was competitively pursued by his grandfather and father. "Unfortunately, I didn't know my grandfather, but my dad and I used to wrestle, wrestling is in our blood," says Kalashnik. At eleven, he fell for freestyle wrestling completely, and within a few years won four national championship titles among juniors and one among men. He attended a security-focused high school alongside future Olympic wrestler Adéla Hanzlíčková and future UFC star Jiří Procházka. At school, he also studied judo and karate.He was eventually brought to the cage by a friend who invited him as a sparring partner to Brno's Jetsaam Gym. A few training sessions were enough and the decision was made. Kalashnik entered the world of MMA, where he currently holds a 13–6 record. The nickname "AK-47" was coined by his friends as a play on his initials and surname. "I have the initials AK, others called me Kalach or Kalashnikov, so I adopted the nickname," he recalls. He made his OKTAGON debut in April 2019 at OKTAGON Prime 1, where he defeated Gabriel Fukszo by TKO. Since then, he has compiled a record of nine wins and five losses in the organization.<h2>FROM AK-47 TO VAGABUND</h2>"AK-47" conquered OKTAGON with his fists; four years later came Vagabund, a comedic alter ego with which he won the hearts of fans. The turning point came at the end of 2023, right before his fight with Niklas Stolze. "Before the fight with Stolze, I was on the last fight of my contract and I thought to myself that I had to change something. Attention brings sponsors, so I had to draw attention to myself in ways other than fighting," Kalashnik explains his decision. He found inspiration among a group of longtime friends from Brno. "Brno locals surely know the KKRD Boys group, where I have friends and we call each other vagrants or vagabonds. We hustle through street life in Brno. The literal translation is wanderer; in the nineties, it was a street guy type," he describes the origin of the nickname, which he says people in the gym had called him for a long time as well.It exploded completely in April 2024 in Birmingham. Kalashnik knocked out Liam Etebar in 43 seconds and, instead of a classic post-fight interview, grabbed the microphone and sang "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" by The Smiths in front of the English audience. The clip went viral on social media and "AK-47" became Vagabund overnight.Today, 27,000 people follow him on Instagram, he launched his own YouTube channel Vagabund Lajf documenting his "journey through the tough life of a fighter," and is a frequent guest on the podcast MMA LETEM SVĚTEM. Another interesting fact about Kalashnik is that he can identify flags of various countries with 100% accuracy. Last June, he also participated in the reality show Farma Česko. When signing up, he admitted he couldn't even mount a shelf at home, let alone milk a cow. This June, he coached the Czech team in the Tipsport Cage Game project alongside Mikýř, taking it to a victorious finish together.<oktinstagramcomponent url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ---1ut9EI/"></oktinstagramcomponent><h2>NEVER SHIED AWAY FROM BIG FIGHTS</h2>In the cage, he relies on a wrestling foundation. To his ground game, he added heavy hands capable of finishing a fight in a few seconds. His style is a feast for the eyes for fans. He is creative, constantly active, with unexpected transitions between striking and wrestling. In OKTAGON, he has won the Tipsport Performance of the Night award three times, finished opponents in the first round four times, and has never lost by submission.In September 2021 at OKTAGON 28, he took on Christian Jungwirth, who was famous at the time for being "unfinishable." Kalashnik needed only 63 seconds and a rear naked choke, with which he forced the German to tap out for the first time in his career. Kalashnik has also faced other famous names like Tomáš Meliš, Tato Primera, or Kaik Brito. Last year in Karlovy Vary, he knocked out experienced Máté Kertész in the very first minute of the fight.<h2>SHATTERED DREAMS AND THE NEXT CHALLENGE</h2>A series of three consecutive victories led him in November 2025 to a title fight with Ion Surdu for the vacant welterweight belt right at home in Brno. Kalashnik entered the cage with torn knee ligaments; less than two weeks prior, he was walking on crutches. Even so, he decided to fight. After a wild exchange, Surdu stopped him in the first round by TKO. "A loss on home soil, especially when I was so close to the title. My dreams collapsed," Kalashnik expressed after the fight. "I fought. I have nothing to be ashamed of," he added.To the same city where his dreams shattered ten months ago, he now returns determined to fight for them again. At OKTAGON 93, Kalashnik faces another major challenge. For the first time in his OKTAGON career, he steps up to middleweight. And he immediately clashes with German fighter Kennedy "Bomaye" Rayomba. Will Kalashnik succeed in the new weight class and lead his comeback to a victorious end?OKTAGON 93 will rock the Winning Group Arena in Brno on September 12, and Vagabund is one of the reasons you shouldn't miss it. Secure your spot and be there when he fights again for the heart of the crowd that holds him dear. Tickets available at the link below.<okteventcomponent eventid="136"></okteventcomponent>

He was only two years old when he arrived in Brno from Ukraine with his parents and had to learn among local boys how to fight for his place. Thirty years later, he is one of the most popular and visible faces of OKTAGON.

THE VAGABUND STORY: KALASHNIK RETURNS HOME TO BRNO

The challenge has been answered! Former champion Patrik "Inspector" Kincl will face elite soldier Dominik Humburger in the main event of OKTAGON 95, a explosive showdown that Humburger specifically requested. On October 17, Karlovy Vary's Mattoni Arena will host a battle between the number two and number three ranked middleweights, with the winner closing in on a title shot. Will the experience and tactical genius of the "Inspector" prevail, or will the tank from Liberec finally blast his way to the title?<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/8eba4434-a419-49ec-bf88-53de3f000b73/cs.1787075945772.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/a544155f-e143-4ffb-8fe1-180d16b19d7c/cs.1787075957693.png" link="" croppedcorners="true" enablecornersmobile="false" smallercorners="false"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>PATRIK "INSPECTOR" KINCL: COLD-BLOODED STRATEGIST</h2>For local fans, Patrik Kincl is the embodiment of fight IQ and a living legend. The 37-year-old representing Hradec Králové's All Sports Academy burst into OKTAGON like a hurricane, snatching the belt from Samuel Krištofič during his debut at OKTAGON 31 in February 2022 after five rounds of dominant decision control. He then defended the throne for 959 days and ruled the organization's overall pound-for-pound rankings for 312 days. Among his title defenses, the unforgettable rematch against Karlos Vémola at Prague's O2 Arena stands out, where the "Inspector" showcased his tactical maturity and became the first Czech ever to defeat the Terminator. Notable victories also include wins over Alex Lohoré and Piotr Wawrzyniak.Although Kerim Engizek eventually dethroned him at OKTAGON 62, and six months later he fell short against Machmud Muradov in an interim title fight at the Eden football stadium in Prague, the experienced veteran quickly proved he is far from finished. In December 2025, he defeated Robert Pukač on points, and this July in Cologne, Germany, delivered a masterclass performance by dismantling Hojat Khajevand with a precise second-round arm triangle. Kincl holds a 6-2 record across eight fights in OKTAGON and currently ranks second in the middleweight division. He initially rejected Humburger's challenge, preferring to test himself against international elite fighters. However, the situation at the top of the division ultimately accelerated this tense matchup.<h2>DOMINIK "HAMBÁČ" HUMBURGER: A SOLDIER WHO NEVER BACKS DOWN</h2>On the other side of the cage stands seven-years-younger Dominik Humburger, a Liberec native whose life is shaped by strict military discipline—he serves in the Army of the Czech Republic, transferring to the elite Special Forces as a hand-to-hand combat instructor in the summer of 2025, and received a military award directly from President Petr Pavel for his service. He has experienced a meteoric career rise. Having entered professional MMA only in 2021, he has already put nine of his fifteen opponents to sleep via KO or TKO. Remarkably, he has never been finished before the bell, with all three of his career losses coming by decision.Fans remember his entrance to the yellow-and-black stage vividly. In April 2025 at OKTAGON 70, he shocked Karlovy Vary by knocking down Samuel Krištofič in the second round, earning a Performance of the Night bonus. Both Humburger and Kincl share this valuable scalp. Three months later at OKTAGON 74 on Prague's Štvanice, he claimed his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus by knocking out tournament favorite Mark Hulme in the second round. He became the only fighter in OKTAGON history to win both awards in his first two fights. His run through the million-euro Tipsport Gamechanger tournament reached the semifinals at OKTAGON 77 in Bratislava, where after a battle named Fight of the Year 2025, he lost on points to then-champion Kerim Engizek. Engizek thus serves as another shared opponent in both fighters' storylines. Humburger returned to victory in April on home turf in Liberec at OKTAGON 87, defeating the feared Zebaztian Kadestam on points before openly calling out his next opponent: Patrik Kincl. Humburger currently holds a 3-1 record in OKTAGON and now faces the biggest test of his career.<oktinstagramcomponent url="https://www.instagram.com/oktagonmma/p/DcJoJN2jNFS/?img_index=2"></oktinstagramcomponent><h2>MASTERFUL CHESS VS. BRUTE FORCE</h2>This clash promises a collision of two contrasting fight styles. A brilliant strategist with exceptional judo and grappling will meet a relentless physical force and pure striker. Patience and fight IQ on one side, unwavering determination and crushing power on the other. The stakes are high for both fighters. Kincl aims to prove his fall from the throne was merely a setback, not the end of the road, while Humburger gets the opportunity he requested. He wants to defeat the legend he chose and permanently establish himself among the division's elite. The winner of this matchup between two fan-favorite Czech middleweights will take a massive step toward a title shot. Will Kincl prove he still belongs on the throne, or will Humburger write the biggest chapter of his career so far?The biggest Czech fight of this autumn is here! OKTAGON 95 will light up Karlovy Vary's Mattoni Arena on October 17 for an unforgettable night, so secure your seat in the stands today. Tickets are available at the link below.<okteventcomponent eventid="139"></okteventcomponent>

The challenge has been answered! Former champion Patrik "Inspector" Kincl will face elite soldier Dominik Humburger in the main event of OKTAGON 95, a explosive showdown that Humburger specifically requested.

CZECH DERBY OF THE YEAR: DOMINIK HUMBURGER FACES INSPECTOR KINCL IN VARY

A challenge originated on social media. The answer to it will play out in the cage. Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt will become the venue for another massive battle on September 26, 2026. Experienced Slovak fighter Robert Pukač chose his next opponent himself after his latest sensational fight, finding him in Germany. Standing opposite him will be Jaime Cordero, a walking explosion regularly accompanied into the cage by chaos and devastating finishes. How will the clash between two TOP 10 middleweight fighters turn out?<oktresponsiveimagecomponent url="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/ac878eb8-a080-46e7-ae44-14d9a9cd414d/cs.1786625114428.png" mobileurl="https://assets.oktagonmma.com/COMMON_IMAGE/d7722203-4a26-4acf-9fa0-6b0955e6d35b/cs.1786625126576.png" link="" croppedcorners="true" enablecornersmobile="false" smallercorners="false"></oktresponsiveimagecomponent><h2>ROBERT PUKAČ: THE REBORN VETERAN HUNTS HEAVY HITTERS</h2>“The Prince of Bratislava” Robert Pukač (21-14-1) is one of the longest-serving veterans of the entire organization. He came to combat sports through judo, and under trainer Ilja Škondrič at the Octagon Fighting Academy gym, he gradually turned professional. He entered the cage for the first time in 2010. By the time OKTAGON was created, he was practically a seasoned veteran. That is why he was part of the historically first season of OKTAGON Challenge as a coach. He entered the organization itself in November 2018 at the OKTAGON 10 event, winning on points against Jan Janka.However, the path to the top was not easy. Between 2019 and 2022, he lost five out of six fights, and rock bottom came in March 2022 when he refused to continue after the second round against Christian Jungwirth. Many people wrote him off back then. But Pukač left his long-time home gym and returned as a completely different fighter. Last February, he sent David Kozma to the canvas with a crushing KO, and four months later finished Christian Eckerlin via TKO. A decision loss to Patrik Kincl in December briefly slowed him down, but this June he defeated Brian Manning in a heated bout in front of his home crowd directly in Bratislava. After the victory, he got married and shortly afterward chose his next opponent from the top ten via social media. Meanwhile, he also managed the role of head coach for the Slovak team in the Tipsport Cage Game project.<h2>JAIME CORDERO: GERMAN-PUERTO RICAN FORCE OF NATURE</h2>On the other side of the cage will stand a man traditionally accompanied into action by utter chaos. Jaime Cordero (10-2, 1 NC) grew up in Bremen, Germany, but also embraces his Puerto Rican roots. He discovered combat sports at the age of fourteen through Muay Thai, and today runs his own gym, Elevate in Bremen, which he founded himself and where he trains other emerging talents of the German scene. He fought his way into OKTAGON through the reality show OKTAGON Challenge, during which he first defeated Ibrahim Cholo. Officially, he made his yellow-and-black cage debut in June 2022 at OKTAGON 33, securing a second victory against the same opponent.Since then, he ranks among the division’s fastest finishers and delivered more than half of his victories inside the distance. He dropped Ondřej Raška in 67 seconds, knocked out Gabriel Török with a head kick after just 22 seconds, and submited Ion Taburceanu via kimura in one minute. In OKTAGON, he has lost only twice—by disqualification against Jakub Bahník and via TKO against Marek Mazúch—while his bout with Milan Ďatelinka ended in a No Contest when his opponent had to be carried out on a stretcher following an unintentional elbow strike. In the rematch, Cordero submitted him with a choke. Last October, he also finished Samuel Krištofič via TKO. He is currently riding a five-fight winning streak.<oktinstagramcomponent url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbV-bVbsppC/"></oktinstagramcomponent><h2>WILL TACTICS OR AN EXPLOSION DECIDE?</h2>This duel was born on social media when Pukač called for the fight himself. Following his win over Manning, he went straight on the offensive, flooding Instagram with a series of aggressive photomontages and videos to openly demand the matchup. Cordero responded to the challenge without hesitation: “He came to Hamburg five kilos overweight and still managed Eckerlin. This guy called me out, so in Frankfurt I’ll show him that I’m better.” Two different worlds will clash in the cage. Pukač often relies on takedowns, control, and the patience cultivated over sixteen years in the cage. Cordero, on the other hand, is sheer firepower whose fights often end in an instant, whether on the feet or on the ground. Will the Slovak fighter manage to keep Cordero out of striking range, or will the Frankfurt stadium witness another lightning-fast finish from the home fighter?The OKTAGON 94 event kicks off on September 26, 2026, at the Frankfurt stadium Deutsche Bank Park, serving as the culmination of the tenth anniversary celebrations for the yellow-and-black giant. An arena that has already rewritten world records awaits its next huge night, and you can be there. Get your tickets at the link below.<okteventcomponent eventid="125"></okteventcomponent>

A challenge originated on social media. The answer to it will play out in the cage. Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt will become the venue for another massive battle on September 26, 2026.

You might be interested in

CZECH DERBY OF THE YEAR: DOMINIK HUMBURGER FACES INSPECTOR KINCL IN VARY

A FIGHT WHERE YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO BLINK: HÁLA TO CLASH WITH ÚŠKRT IN BRNO

LORD OF THE NIGHT AND THE CAGE: MAD MAX COGA RETURNS

INTERESTING FACTS FROM THE BRNO CARD: A SUPERMARKET CASHIER OR A CANADIAN LEARNING CZECH

PUKAČ HAS CHOSEN HIS NEXT OPPONENT. AT THE FRANKFURT STADIUM, HE WILL FACE CORDERO