Oktagon 61 Preview; Tipsport Gamechanger Semi-Finals; Rony v Duque, Keita v Legierski, Askham v Muradov

European shows don’t come much bigger than the one Oktagon have planned for this Saturday in Brno, Czechia. The Winning Group Arena will host Oktagon 61, which will feature the Tipsport Gamechanger Lightweight Tournament semi-finals, as well as a slew of the continent’s top talent on display. There will be twelve fights in total on what should be a spectacular card.

The main event will feature one of the Tipsport Gamechanger Lightweight Tournament semi-finals. Ronald Paradeiser (20-8) is the promotion’s title holder at this weight in normal circumstances, and he’s aiming to prove he’s the top dog at the end of this bracket. The Slovakian paved his way through the tournament with decision victories over Attila Korkmaz and Daniel Torres. Previous to that, he had beaten European legends Ivan Buchinger and Andrew Fisher. The 27-year-old is in peak form, with seven wins on-the-bounce and looking better than ever. Rony is a tall kickboxer who has won just over half his victories by knockout. He’s tough on the receiving end and doesn’t wilt, and can keep the pace going for the full fifteen. Acoidan Duque (21-4) has been a bit of a surprise package so far, advancing with decision victories over Mohammed Grabiński and Mochamed Machaev. Prior to joining Oktagon, the Spaniard competed for Brave, UAE Warriors, PFL and Bellator, taking on all comers to relative success. He’d prefer to take this to the mat where he can use his superior submission skills, with 52% of his finishes coming via tap out. If things don’t hit the ground, he is a gritty striker who is hard to hurt and has only been finished twice. Whilst Duque has proven me wrong multiple times already, I’m choosing Rony to progress to the final to set up a rematch against a former foe in the final.

Scott Askham (20-6) is a legend of European MMA who has had a tough time of it behind the scenes the last few years. One of the good ones in the sport, the Englishman is a UFC veteran who has won titles for top promotions BAMMA and KSW, including headlining multiple big cards against Mamed Khalidov, as well as completing the trilogy in front of 50,000 fans in Warsaw. Doncaster’s finest won his Oktagon debut last November, a decision win against Marc Doussis. The 36-year-old is a natural finisher and does damage on the feet, ripping kicks to the body, working his levels and following up with big shots with his fists. Makhmud Muradov (26-8) is also a UFC veteran who is returning to the promotion where he earned the opportunity in the first place. The Tajikistani trains out of Prague and he made his name locally through the XFN circuit, a promotion that drew huge crowds in the region. The 34-year-old isn’t too dissimilar to Askham in that he’s a savage striker who loves a finish, and he can use every limb and pointy bit to get it done spectacularly. These two are well matched here and should provide us with a spectacle. I can’t choose between them.

The second semi-final features one of Europe’s top talents in Losene Keita (14-1). The OKMMA Featherweight champion is a force of nature and challenges himself constantly in the various disciplines of the sport. The Guinean now calls Belgium his home, and he’s not afraid to travel to top gyms on the continent to get the work in. The 26-year-old booked his place here with a masterful decision win against Agy Sardari and a rip roaring body shot KO on Predrag Bogdanović. The “Black Panther”‘s biggest attribute is his phenomenal striking, running rings around opponents and brutalising them with his explosive power and outstanding technique. Mateusz Legierski (12-1) might not be as flashy, however he’s been just as effective under the Oktagon banner, winning all nine fights for the promotion, including being their first lightweight champion. The Pole has also fought for KSW and punched his ticket with a lovely rear naked choke on Matouš Kohout, and a decision against Akonne Wanliss. The 28-year-old is a great wrestler who poses a significant submission threat. “Dynamit” has also had great success in kickboxing exchanges, scoring four knockout wins. This could be closer than people expect, with me siding slightly with Keita.

Lucie Pudilová (14-10) is another homecomer returning from the UFC, making her seventh walk for the promotion. The Czech is a fierce striker who stands in the pocket and trades. The 30-year-old loves to get inside and use her elbows to cut up opponents. She keeps a high pace and can easily go the distance. Cecilie Bolander (3-0) was one of the top amateurs on the IMAMF scene before moving onto pro. The Norwegian was been perfect since then, winning her first two with her patented armbar and a third last November by decision. She could do with a bit of activity and will be looking to get this one onto the ground. Pudilová’s experience should be an advantage here.

Andrej Kalašnik (11-5) is aiming to keep the momentum going in 2024 after beating Liam Etebar by KO in April. The Czech will have the locals on his side as he hails from Brno. “AK-47” cuts opponents off at the knees with his devastating kickboxing game. For those that don’t succumb to his power, they have to navigate fifteen minutes avoiding it. John Palaioligos (20-13-1) makes his fifth appearance under the Oktagon banner. The Greek holds a win over former interim champion Piotr Wawrzyniak. The 37-year-old doesn’t mind mixing it up on the feet and has power of his own. His last couple of wins have come in the submission game. Kalašnik’s aggression is the difference maker here.

Vladimír Lengál (6-4) is an all or nothing type of guy. The Czech has a 12-0 record in pro boxing with eleven knockouts. “Vlado” is marching straight across that cage and attempting to finish the fight as soon as possible. Kicks, knees and punches will be flying and more often than not lights will go out. He’s very experienced across the various striking disciplines and he only deals in pain. Corey Fry (5-2) jumps back on the horse following defeat to prospect Max Holzer in January. The Englishman is predominantly a striker who finishes within the first couple of minutes. He picked up his first submission win against boxer Denis Ilbay in November. I’m siding with Lengál once he avoids the grappling threat.

An underground rules bout will headline the prelims. Czechia’s Tomáš Hron (100-28-3 K1) and the Netherlands’ Fred Sikking (57-28-1 K1) will be throwing huge feet and hand bungalows in each other’s direction in this 3×3 minute contest. Let the bodies hit the floor.

Mate Sanikidze (11-3) competes in one of the peachiest matchups on the card. The Georgian is a former OKMMA Featherweight champion who has dropped down to bantamweight. The 25-year-old has that strong Caucus wrestling background which he combines with a slick kickboxing game. He’s high octane and doesn’t let his opponent rest. Jack Cartwright (11-2) is a former Cage Warriors title holder and well known for his iconic rat’s tail haircut. The SBG Manchester man is looking to get back to winning ways following defeat to Jonas Mågård in January. The Englishman is a great wrestler with a fantastic submission game. The 30-year-old can attack all angles and also has a massive punch on him. Sanikidze will likely try to get Cartwright on his back and hold him there.

Jakub Tichota (5-2) is a man with bags of potential with his only defeats coming to champs Losene Keita and Mate Sanikidze. The Czech had an extensive and successful amateur career, and flew into a five-fight win streak as a pro after that. The 25-year-old is strongest in the stand-up exchanges, however he also has a solid grappling game. George Staines (2-0) was the winner of the Oktagon Challenge: England vs Ireland competition, beating Denis Frimpong in the final. The Englishman followed that up with a decision win in April. The 24-year-old has an even more impressive amateur record than his opponent, representing his country at IMMAF level. The Hull man has an exquisite submission repertoire, which includes his ace of guillotine choke. His striking is improving all the time. Tichota’s top level experience should see him through this great challenge.

Radek Roušal (2-1) is a very colourful character who makes his walkout in a straight jacket. The Czech has a 5-1 pro boxing record with three knockouts. The 29-year-old has also competed in kickboxing and Muay Thai. Simply put, “Ruchy” is a man of the striking arts and will look to try and win on the feet. Nezar Bahaji (3-1) makes his promotional debut. The Frenchman is a man who’s usually in close fights and is competitive on the feet. He hasn’t shown too much in the way of a finishing threat. I can see Roušal surprise and win by submission, set up by his striking.

Attila Korkmaz (15-8) is a Bellator and ACA veteran who’s coming in off the back of a submission win over Makwan Amirkhani. The German trains out of Berlin and is a well rounded fighter who’s got some knockout power and a credible submission game. The 33-year-old has been proven to be a tough character and you have to expect to hang in there for fifteen minutes with him. Agy Sardari (17-5) is a former Cage Warriors champion. The Dutchman is a very technical striker who can use his footwork and activity to pick off opponents for a win. Don’t sleep on his submissions, particularly his triangle choke. Those legs were made for more than just kicking. I’m eyeing Sardari here.

The YouTube free fight will showcase Jan Stanovský (4-1). The Czech is on a four-fight win streak and has shown prowess in the striking exchanges. The 25-year-old has three knockout wins to date, using punches and elbows to get the job done. The fourth victory was via triangle choke. Gleb Shadrin (5-2) is Russian born and trains out of Athens. The 26-year-old is a bit of a reverse of his opponent, with three of his wins coming via submission, all by choke. “Farmer” picked up his first knockout win last November with a first round head kick. Home advantage should suit Stanovský.

Oktagon 61 is live from Brno on Saturday night from 17:00 Irish time on Oktagon.tv and DAZN.