Oktagon 67 Preview; Creasey v Adamia, Tipsport Gamechanger Opening Bouts

There is a second fantastic show going down in Czechia this weekend with Oktagon 67 taking place in Třinec. The Werk Arena will see eleven bouts go down on Saturday night, including a title fight and a couple more Tipsport Gamechanger tournament bouts.

Sam Creasey (19-5) is the reigning, defending OKMMA Flyweight Champion, repeating the feat he achieved in Cage Warriors. The 36-year-old won the belt against Aaron Aby last April using his fast paced style. The Englishman throws with significant volume on the feet and he matches that with great footwork. He’s tricky in the scrambles and a stellar wrestler that never accepts a bad position. In the submission game he has a mean guillotine and a neat back take for his rear naked choke. Beno Adamia (11-8-2) is a man who has found his rhythm lately, winning both his promotional scraps to date. The Georgian is undefeated in his last six and has that Caucasus grappling style with active wrestling. The 28-year-old’s main threat is submissions, and has come undone with boxing defence in the past.

David Kozma (32-14) is one of the promotion’s biggest homemade stars and this will be his sixteenth fight under their banner. The former champion is very well rounded with a powerful kickboxing game, scoring nine knockout victories, and is very effective with knees and elbows. The 32-year-old has a good triangle and armbar in the submission game, alongside a great double leg takedown. The Czech has struggled a little lately to strikes, losing three of his last five due to punches against top opposition. Robert Pukač (18-13-1) is a very durable decision fighter. The 32-year-old is on a two-fight win streak after a rough patch. The Slovakian has four submission wins, usually due to the common MMA techniques, plus he’s not afraid of a firefight and will trade with anyone.

The opening round of the Tipsport Gamechanger middleweight tournament continues on Saturday night. Mick Stanton (13-8) is no stranger to winning, having won the Cage Warriors title at this weight. The PFL veteran won his Oktagon debut by knockout. The 38-year-old is physically very strong and a proficient wrestler who is heavy on top. The Englishman has absolute hammers for fists and carries massive knockout power. He has won seven of his last nine against very competitive opponents. Miloš Petrášek (13-7) is tall and going into his ninth Oktagon fight, winning two of his last three. Strong in the submission game, he is a specialist in armlocks, kimuras in particular, and has eight wins by tap out. He’s a very capable boxer with good power in the first few rounds, is very durable, and he doesn’t get finished easily.

In another tournament bout, The Ultimate Fighter veteran Mark Hulme (12-3) makes his first walk for the company. The 30-year-old has shown us that grappling has been his strongest facet by far, with a very strong wrestling game. The South African is an expert at taking the back and sinking in the rear naked choke, and can catch you in a triangle or an armbar as well. Andreas Michailidis (16-8) was a runner up in the 2023 tournament. The 36-year-old is a UFC and Bellator veteran, and is very well rounded with lots of experience, as well as fighting against a wide variety of styles. His choke game is tricky and he specialises in the arm triangle. In kickboxing exchanges, he’s powerful with knockout ability.

Niko Samsonidse (11-3) makes his fifth walk for Oktagon after previously competing on the local scene. The German born fighter is of Georgian heritage, and has a  very well rounded grappling game, with solid chokes and leg locks. The 30-year-old is a decent striker with a bit of pop on his strikes, and is tricky to hit, showing durability along the way. Edgar Delgado (15-6) is making his major European debut and comes in from the Mexican scene. The 36-year-old is scrappy on the feet and will go toe to toe with opponents. The Costa Rican has good leg locks and arm submissions, as well as heavy ground and pound. He gets into close fights.

Lucia Szabóva (8-0) is the jewel of Oktagon’s women’s division. The 27-year-old is a legit finisher, and is great at pouncing on the faintest sniff of blood. The Slovakian has a legit armbar, while also being a strong kickboxer with heavy shots. She comes from a Muay Thai background. Kalindra Faria (19-10-1) is a UFC and KSW veteran, as well as competing in many pro boxing, kickboxing and grappling bouts. The 38-year-old is a well rounded martial artist and a true student of the game. The Brazilian has seven wins by KO and six by tap out.

Daniel Škvor (7-4) is making his eleventh promotional appearance, and is looking to bounce back from a loss to champion Will Fleury. The 35-year-old comes from a kickboxing background, has competed for Glory, and also has pro MMA experience not counting towards his record. The Czech has big knockout power, and is mostly dangerous from his punches. His submission game could do with improvement. Antonio Zovak (14-9) is a Cage Warriors veteran and has been a professional boxer and kickboxer. The 30-year-old has eleven wins by knockout, with his kicks having a lot of success, his high kick in particular. The Serbian has good ground and pound, but is a bit chinny.

Jaime Cordero (6-2) is a young prospect who has grown up in Oktagon and is making his ninth appearance. The German is an all action fighter that flies out of the gates, always exciting the crowd. He’s a heavy striker with dangerous kicks and punches, and is lethal in the first minute. Milan Ďatelinka (10-7) is a tall and brave eleven-fight Oktagon veteran. The Slovakian is a good kickboxer with a tricky high kick and heavy hands, has decent submissions and a competent choke game. He’s never made it to the judges’ scorecards.

Tomáš Mudroch (5-1) is making his debut and has competed for GAMMA as an amateur, as well as for RFA locally. The 26-year-old has a very fun striking style with flashy attacks, including spinning and flying attempts, and has knockout power. The Czech has good leg locks and is durable. Petru Buzdugan (6-1) is an Eagles MMA veteran. The Moldovan is a great prospect with mean kickboxing, explosive movements and knockout ability. The 24-year-old’s punches have the touch of death on them, and he loves to work the body.

Veronika Smolkova (5-3) came from a good amateur background and is making her fourth promotional appearance. The Slovakian is a powerful kickboxer who has three knockouts in a row and doesn’t ease off over the three rounds. She’s very durable and has a few nice chokes. Aitana Álvarez (7-7) is a pitbull of a fighter and is a KSW and Combate Global veteran, throwing on the Oktagon gloves for the third time. The Spaniard is one of the bravest fighters on the scene and she’ll stand and trade for the duration of the fight. The 25-year-old has no fear, always moving forwards and always looking to throw her shots. She’s very tough and durable, and always in close fights.

Dominic Schober (13-13) is a journeyman and Brave CF veteran. The 34-year-old is a decent grappler who does damage from top and has submission ability. The Austrian has a bit of power on the feet, although isn’t the most durable. Daniel Ligocki (2-1) is on a two-fight win streak and is making his OKMMA debut. The 27-year-old is good at wrestling and loves to go for the back for the rear naked choke. The Czech is tall and long, and comes from a Muay Thai background, with good power throughout the three rounds.

Oktagon 66 is live from Třinec on Saturday night from 17:00 Irish time on Oktagon.tv.