For the first time in over a year, OKTAGON MMA returns to Slovakia this weekend for an evening of exhilarating action that features some of the best fighters from across Europe. OKTAGON 42 emanates from Ondreja Nepelu Arena, Bratislava on Saturday, April 29 and sees the promotion visit another country – the third of the year so far – in another significant venue as part of a loaded schedule.
In the main event, one of the best prospects in the sport, Losene Keita, will look to become a double champion when he faces top Czech talent, Jakub Tichota, for the interim featherweight belt.
Keita (10-0) has stormed through the competition since he arrived in OKTAGON MMA, including two spectacular knockout victories over Ivan Buchinger and Samuel Bark. The undefeated Belgian sensation has received plaudits for his development in the sport considering he only started training around five years ago and has been tipped as a potential superstar. “Black Panther” already holds the OKTAGON MMA lightweight title but is now in search of a second belt in his sophomore outing at 145 pounds. A short documentary highlighting Keita’s journey up to this point can be seen below.
Tichota (5-1) is a former IMMAF champion and impressed in a very close split-decision loss to featherweight belt holder, Mate Sanikidze, in his last outing. “Chimp” dropped the Georgian early in the bout with some claiming he could have had his hand raised at the end of the 25-minute, back-and-forth contest. Ever since suffering that first loss of his professional career, the 23-year-old has been eager to jump back into action and has now been presented with the opportunity for a second chance at gold. Can he be the first to defeat Keita while gaining personal redemption? Tichota certainly believes he has the skill to do so.
OKTAGON 42 also hosts arguably the most anticipated promotional debut in the organization’s history. A man, who has a backstory like no other, is arriving in OKTAGON MMA with the intention of becoming the new face of the company.
Shem Rock (8-1) fled the U.K. on the run from police as a young adult before finding mixed martial arts in Malaysia. When his fighting career really began to take off, he travelled to Ireland but was taken in by the authorities and sent to jail. However, after new evidence came to light, the Liverpudlian was acquitted of the crime he was wanted for and released. Rock now works with local youths to prevent them from traveling down the same path that he did. His incredible story, that needs to be seen to be believed, can be viewed in full below.
The Next Generation MMA product, who is a teammate of Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann, wants to make a big statement and put all lightweights on notice when he faces Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Arthur Lima (10-2-1) in a 71 kilograms/157 pounds catchweight bout.
One of the most terrifying fighters in OKTAGON MMA, Vlasto Cepo (11-2), who has finished all of his victories in less than four minutes takes on promotional newcomer, Ion Taburceanu (6-1), in the co-main event. “El Chapo” was scheduled to finally meet arch-nemesis Matej Penaz on Saturday night but an injury scuppered the contest. If Cepo picks up another impressive win, his focus could well switch to Penaz once again.
In other feature bouts, entertaining lightweight strikers Matous Kohout (8-5) and Karol Rysavy (11-5) throw down in a Czech Slovak derby, and UFC veteran Jeremy Kimball (18-10) collides with European mainstay Ruben Wolf (12-11) at a catchweight of 104 kilograms/229 pounds. Furthermore, young talent Roman Paulus (9-2) goes against newly signed Georgian competitor Niko Samsonidse (8-2) in a featherweight bout.
Elsewhere on the card, the British invade Bratislava as a host of talent from the region look to place themselves amongst divisional contenders. Former BAMMA and EMC heavyweight champion Stuart Austin (16-8) makes his OKTAGON MMA debut opposite muay Thai specialist John Winter (5-2). Undefeated English prospect Callum Mullen (5-0) faces ranked featherweight Jakub Dohnal (11-3), and James Lewis (8-4) intends on making it two wins in as many appearances for the promotion when he clashes with all-action Dominic Schober (13-10) at welterweight.
OKTAGON 42 will be broadcast live around the world on Oktagon.tv as well as global platform, DAZN, in international markets. For this event, fans in the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) can watch on DAZN and BILD. All of the action begins at 12 p.m. ET.
