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 organization across the continent. OKTAGON 42 featured the crowning of a double champion, a brilliant comeback from a fan-favorite 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 Cepo (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 percent stoppage rate after landing a flurry of clubbing punches in round two. Long time arch nemesis, Matej Penaz, 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 157 pounds. Rock faced a completely different style of opponent than he had originally prepared for but the Liverpudlian still ended the bout dominantly, controlling the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt 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 Rysavý (12-5) outpointed Matous 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 229-pound 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 Padua (7-4) due to strikes in her best OKTAGON MMA performance to date.
