OKTAGON MMA made a memorable return to Slovakia on Saturday evening, April 29, as close to 10,000 fans filled the Ondrej Nepela Arena for another exciting event. In just the first quarter of this year, the top European promotion has already held four full-scale arena shows in three different countries, an achievement unmatched by any organisation across the continent. OKTAGON 42 featured the crowning of a double champion, a brilliant comeback from a fan-favourite and a plethora of entertaining contests.
In the main event, Losene Keita (11-0) proved yet again why he is one of the best prospects anywhere in MMA when he defeated Jakub Tichota (5-2) by TKO in the fourth round to win the interim featherweight belt. ‘Black Panther’ dropped his adversary repeatedly throughout the bout but remained patient and composed until the ideal opportunity to close the show presented itself. After the fight, it was revealed that Tichota broke his clavicle in the opening round but continued to throw everything he could at Keita, displaying the unbelievable heart and courage possessed by the talented 23-year-old.
Keita is now a simultaneous two-weight champion and it remains to be seen if he will look to unify the featherweight belt in a long-awaited matchup with Mate Sanikidze next or move back up to lightweight to defend his title there.
Vlasto Čepo (12-2) received the biggest crowd reaction of the night in the co-headliner as he rallied to viciously stop Ion Taburceanu (6-2). ‘El Chapo’ decisively lost the first frame but managed to maintain his terrifying 100% stoppage rate after landing a flurry of clubbing punches in round two. Long time arch nemesis, Matěj Peňáz, entered the cage after the bout and it was revealed that the middleweight pair are scheduled to finally compete when OKTAGON MMA returns to Bratislava on October 7.
In a feature bout, Shem Rock (8-1-1) survived a turbulent opening round to fight back and a secure a draw in his promotional debut against Arthur Lima (10-2-2) at a catchweight of 71kg/157lbs. Rock faced a completely different style of opponent than he had originally prepared for but the Liverpudlian still ended the bout dominantly, controlling the BJJ blackbelt on the mat. Both men asked for a rematch once the decision was announced in order to prove who the better competitor is once and for all after a full training camp.
Elsewhere on the card, Karol Ryšavý (12-5) outpointed Matouš Kohout (8-6) in an exciting striking battle at lightweight and UFC veteran, Jeremy Kimball (19-10), earned a TKO victory over European mainstay, Ruben Wolf (12-12), in a 104kg/229lbs catchweight bout. Katharina Dalisda (9-3) made it four wins straight and called for a shot at the vacant strawweight title when she finished Isabela de Pádua (7-4) due to strikes in her best OKTAGON MMA performance to date.
OKTAGON 42 Results
Main Card
Main Event
OKTAGON MMA Interim Featherweight Title
Losene Keita (11-0) defeated Jakub Tichota (5-2) by TKO (punches) at 3:53 of round four to win the interim featherweight title
Co-Main Event
Middleweight
Vlasto Čepo (12-2) defeated Ion Taburceanu (6-2) by TKO (punches) at 1:54 of round two
Lightweight
Karol Ryšavý (12-5) defeated Matouš Kohout (8-6) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Catchweight (104kg/229lbs)
Jeremy Kimball (19-10) defeated Ruben Wolf (12-12) by TKO (punches) at 4:05 in round two
Catchweight (71kg/157lbs)
Shem Rock (8-1-1) and Arthur Lima (10-2-2) fought to a majority draw (28-28, 28-28, 28-29)
Featherweight
Niko Samsonidse (9-2) defeated Roman Paulus (9-3) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary Card
Heavyweight
Stuart Austin (17-8) defeated John Winter (5-3) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Strawweight
Katharina Dalisda (9-3) defeated Isabela de Pádua (7-4) by TKO (punches and elbows) at 4:42 of round three
Featherweight
Jakub Dohnal (12-3) defeated Callum Mullen (5-1, 1NC) by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Underground Rules – Catchweight (85kg/187lbs)
Marek Bartl (11-12 MMA) defeated Ole Magnor (7-7 MMA) by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
OKTAGON MMA is back on Saturday, May 20 inside the stunning O2 Arena, Prague for OKTAGON 43 – one of the biggest events in the promotion’s history. Patrik Kincl will defend his middleweight title against Karlos Vémola in the next chapter of their heated rivalry and two quarter-final matchups in the €1 million Tipsport Gamechanger welterweight tournament go down. ‘Pink Panther’ David Kozma meets Great Britain Top Team product, Alex Lohoré, and Danish grappler, Louis Glismann, rematches LFL champion, Melvin van Suijdam, to see who will advance to the final four.
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