MMA News

Vémola and Ilić headline OKTAGON 34 in showdown for the vacant light heavyweight title

Peter Knox

July 12, 2022

The Terminator’ has acquired a new target and he will be descending upon Štvanice hunting ‘The Joker’ in a huge European clash.

OKTAGON 34 emanates from Prague, Czech Republic on Saturday 23^rd July and promises to be an event like no other this summer. Taking place in a spectacular outdoor tennis stadium under the night’s sky, a capacity crowd will provide an electric atmosphere for the most eye-catching show of the year. A host of popular fighters will be competing in the open air, looking to continue their own stories in some fascinating matchups.

Czech MMA superstar, Karlos Vémola, intends to further his legacy by winning an OKTAGON MMA title in a second weight division when he takes on European standout, Aleksandar Ilić, for the vacant light heavyweight title in the evening’s main event. Vémola was originally scheduled to face Rafael Xavier but the Brazilian withdrew from the bout.

Vémola (32-6) is a pioneer of the sport in his home country and ‘The Terminator’ attracts huge crowds whenever he competes. The former OKTAGON MMA middleweight champion, who never lost his title inside the cage, returned to competition after a lengthy injury last month to defeat Michał Pasternak in the first round. Following that bout, the other ‘Terminator’ in the promotion, Stephan Puetz, who is also hungry for the light heavyweight title, made it known he is eying a future fight with Vémola to decide who the true ‘Terminator’ in the organisation is. Vémola must put this heightening feud on hold for the time being and is determined to look as dominant as ever when he welcomes another big personality to OKTAGON MMA.

Karlos Vémola

Ilić (13-4) is a KSW veteran, best known for his stunning, highlight-reel knockout over Olympic bronze medallist in wrestling, Damian Janikowski, so he has history when it comes to upsetting grappling specialists. ‘The Joker’ has finished 9 of his 13 victories by TKO/KO and carries significant power in all limbs. He is the most dangerous threat Vémola has faced in recent years and is extremely confident he will earn the biggest win of his career. Who will become the king of the light heavyweight division? ‘The Terminator’ or ‘The Joker’?

The co-main event sees former OKTAGON MMA lightweight champion, Mateusz Legierski (7-1), return to the promotion in an important battle for the weight class. ‘Dynamit’ has never been defeated in the organisation and hopes that continues when he faces fan-favourite, Matouš Kohout (7-4). The man known as ‘Mighty Rooster’ has won his last three bouts, but Legierski represents a step up in competition. Could a contender for newly crowned lightweight champion, Losene Keita, emerge from this contest?

Elsewhere on the card, previous welterweight title challenger, Máté Kertész (11-5, 1NC), who has been training at AKA, takes on Vladislav Kanchev (12-6-2) in an exciting bout. Former Glory kickboxer, Daniel Škvor (3-1), wants to make it four wins in a row when he returns to action at 205lbs and #1 ranked Czech bantamweight, Filip Macek (26-16-1), aims to continue his quest back to the top of the division.