MMA News, Oktagon

€1 million Tipsport Gamechanger quarter finals conclude at OKTAGON 59: Summer Party this Saturday

Peter Knox

July 18, 2024

Europe’s leading promotion, OKTAGON MMA, return this weekend for a summer party like no other in the open air of Bratislava, Slovakia. OKTAGON 59 takes place this Saturday, July 20, in Peugeot Arena (which usually stages tennis matches) and marks another spectacular outdoor event in our unrivalled 2024 schedule. The biggest European MMA tournament in history – €1 million Tipsport Gamechanger – features on the exciting lineup as the bracket’s remaining two quarter finals go down.

The current OKTAGON MMA lightweight king will clash with a former KSW champion when Ronald Paradeiser (19-8) meets Daniel Torres (15-5, 2NC) in the main event. ‘Rony’ chose to face the Austrian following their opening round bouts and many have tipped this to be one of the best quality fights on the continent this year. Who will progress to the final four of the lightweight tournament?

In the co-main event, one of the best prospects in the world, Losene Keita (13-1), collides with former SBC champion, Predrag Bogdanović (16-1), in a European MMA Champions League quarter final. ‘Black Panther’ progressed in a brilliant bout with Sardari back in May after Bogdanović had halted the hype of then undefeated talent, Nafuka, at OKTAGON 54. The Serbian believes this upcoming matchup suits him perfectly while Keita wants to deliver a highlight reel finish once again.

OKTAGON 59 Showdown: Keita vs. Bogdanović

Slovak MMA legend, Ivan Buchinger (42-9), throws down with all action, Łukasz Rajewski (13-9, 1NC), in a Tipsport Gamechanger reserve bout. Following a title defeat to Paradeiser at the end of last year, ‘Buki’ bounced back with a stoppage victory on the regional scene and now wants to give himself the chance of entering the European MMA Champions League. Rajewski overcame Ponet in his OKTAGON MMA debut earlier this year and is now searching for the biggest win of his career.

Undefeated female star, Lucia Szabová (7-0), hopes to keep her perfect record intact when she faces Spanish warrior, Aitana Álvarez (6-5), at a catchweight of 59.5kg/131lbs. Rounding out the main card, knockout machine, Radovan Úškrt (8-4), hopes to spoil the retirement of Czech star, Petr Kníže (13-3), in a middleweight contest.

Elsewhere on the lineup, former interim champion, Piotr Wawrzyniak (12-6), squares off with last year’s Tipsport Gamechanger finalist, Andreas Michailidis (16-7), at middleweight and ‘Shark’ Jonas Mågård (16-6) takes on Bellator veteran, Josh Hill (22-6), in a bantamweight battle.

Ivan Buchinger competes in his home country once again

OKTAGON 59: Summer Party will be broadcast live on OKTAGON.TVinternationally as well as worldwide on the global platform, DAZN, in all markets except from CZ/SK. Fans in France can also tune in on RMC Sport. The action begins at 4pm BST/5pm CEST/11am ET/8am CT.