‘Stage to the Cage’ project launches OKTAGON MMA expansion to the U.K.

The past year has seen top European promotion OKTAGON MMA expand internationally beyond it’s Czech-Slovak base with two ground-breaking, sold-out shows in Germany. In 2023, the organization is heading to the U.K., a new territory, for the very first time with equally ambitious plans. To kickstart the venture, a project is being launched that has never been seen before in the region.

“Stage to the Cage” will see two U.K. celebrities dedicate their lives to MMA for 10 months before fighting each other at a huge OKTAGON MMA event later this year in England. Their progress will be tracked in a multi-episode documentary which will give the public an insight into the sport and expose it to a wider audience. Broadcast details for this series will be confirmed in due course.

The first participant in the project is Paul Smith, a top stand-up comedian in the country. Paul has built one of the biggest and most loyal comedy followings through his live shows and online, viral content over multiple years of performing. The Liverpudlian has sold out arenas in the U.K. and Ireland with his quick wit and affable nature but it is fists that will now be doing the talking. He is donating his full fight purse to the “Weapons Down, Gloves Up” charity, a boxing initiative targeting young adults to get involved in combat sports.

His opponent, who is another recognized star in the UK, will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Be sure to follow OKTAGON MMA for updates on the “Stage to the Cage” project across all of our media platforms. Also, for all of the latest news in OKTAGON MMA, watch out for new episodes of OKTAGON HYPE (our magazine show specifically produced for international audiences) every two weeks on the OKTAGON U.K. and Ireland YouTube channel.