Oktagon MMA is preparing to set its flag in another city: Oberhausen, Germany. On Saturday, June 17, the local Rudolf Weber Arena will host the anticipated tournament.
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Oktagon MMA is preparing to set its flag in another city: Oberhausen, Germany. On Saturday, June 17, the local Rudolf Weber Arena will host the anticipated tournament, the highlight of which will be the struggle for the interim light heavyweight champion, who, in addition to the belt, will also receive the chance to confront the incumbent champion, Karlos Vémola.
Eleven exciting bouts await us. As is customary, we analyzed each match. Once again, we bring you our predictions for how particular duels could play out in our judgment.
Main Card
Prelim card
Free Prelims
Nobody would have predicted this match half a year ago, but it’s finally here. Slovakian Pavol Langer shockingly gained a chance at the championship with a dominant performance against Rafael Xavier. He will compete at Oberhausen for the temporary title of light heavyweight champion against the fearsome German bulldozer Alexander Poppeck.
After 10 years in the MMA scene, it will surely be the fight of a lifetime for Langer, and maybe his last chance to shine in the main event in front of the largest audience. Although grappling is his main weapon and he usually ends with submissions, he can also defeat his opponent standing up.
However, he will encounter a ferocious beast this time, the vicious and predatory Poppeck, who absolutely destroyed the seasoned Martin Zawada in the last fight. Unlike Langer, the German prefers KO/TKO finishes and has great experience not just from the American PFL, but also from Dana White’s Contender Series, where he faced current UFC champion Jamahal Hill.
Predicted winner: Alexander Poppeck
One of the year’s most anticipated matchups, with a lot on the line: passage to the semi-finals of the Tipsport GameChanger pyramid and a royal paycheck of 300,000 euros.
Bojan Velikovi, an experienced Serbian UFC veteran, is a cold-blooded murderer in the cage, but German Christian is like a furious beast that doesn’t stop and keeps pressing ahead. Their fight is a dream come true for all MMA enthusiasts. It is obvious that it will be a tough, thrilling, and surely fascinating bout in which the finest welterweight fighters will fight to the last breath, even if they have lacerations or broken noses.
Both like intense fistfights, but while Jungwirth is more aggressive, Velikovi is considerably more careful and tactical, making him the favorite in this clash. His expertise from the world’s most prominent MMA league should also play a significant factor in this clash.
Predicted winner: Bojan Veličković
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The European MMA League of Champions Tipsport Gamechanger is in full swing, and the German knockout Grabinski and Greece’s Michalidis will compete for the next round. In the following round, the victor of this battle will face submission champion Glismann.
In his last bout, Michailidis easily defeated Brazilian great Leandro “Apollo” Silva on points. He is an accomplished wrestler who would most likely begin the battle against Grabinski tactically and try to outpoint his opponent on the ground. But, as they say, every battle begins with a stance, and Grabinski is most dangerous in this area.
Both combatants have similar odds of winning, and neither is a major favourite. Grabinski will likely record another quick win if he capitalises on his pressure and strength early in the fight, but the longer the battle goes on, the more it may favour the Greek. Anyway, we’re in for another thrilling show.
Predicted Winner: Marcel Mohamed Grabinski
Xavier made his Octagon debut in style in 2020, finishing Michal Plesnk in the first round. He finished with two more spectacular and quick finishes, then won on points and was only beaten by Pavol Langer. If he won, the Brazilian would have been eligible to fight for the championship, but he will have to wait.
Mateusz Strzelczyk, who is now ranked fourth in the light heavyweight class, will seek to take his position in Oberhausen. He’ll attempt to replicate the stunning knockout he delivered on Jorick Montagnac last time. Xavier, on the other hand, will most likely be more difficult to crack and, above all, considerably more complicated. As a result, he should have an excellent match.
Predicted Winner: Rafael Xavier
The 38-year-old Briton Andrew Fisher, who has extremely valuable experience from the American Bellator and is literally a submission machine (he has nine on his account, with the north-south choke technique finishing three opponents and the rear naked choke technique finishing two), would like to break Rony’s winning streak. The Slovak will most likely want to avoid the ground match.
Fisher may take the Octagon by surprise and ensure that the audience in Oberhausen and in front of the broadcast is shredding betting tickets. However, we believe Paradeiser is more likely to win since he has made amazing growth in recent years and has also improved in grappling, making him much more complex. His drive to win the championship again will be crucial. Furthermore, with his forceful and precise combinations, he may end Fisher at any point.
Predicted Winner: Ronald Paradeiser
Polvka the Czech warrior, has taken on one tough challenge after another in recent years, scoring key scalps such as UFC veteran Eric Spicely and Polish KO machine Robert Bryzcek. He is currently coming off a points defeat against Samuel Kritofic, whilst his opponent, Hojat Khajevand, is on a two-match winning run. The German has finished off Václav Mikuláek and is now grinding his teeth on another well-known household name.
Polvka has greater ring experience and has previously fought stronger opponents than his German opponent. If the Czech striker makes no huge errors that Khajevand may exploit, especially on the ground, he should go for the victory. But it will not be simple, and we believe that at some time, the judges will be allowed to speak.
Predicted Winner: Hojat Khajevand
The OKTAGON 44 is scheduled to happen on 17th June 2023. It will go live from Oberhausen, Rudolf Weber Arena. To watch OKTAGON 44 go stream it on Oktagon.tv..
To buy a ticket and to watch the OKTAGON 44, fans can directly visit OKTAGON MMA‘s official site.
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