Deniz Ilbay shuts down “Sign the contract” claims from Max Holzer

Deniz Ilbay, Oktagon MMA
Deniz Ilbay, Oktagon MMA Credit: Oktagon MMA

Following his Oktagon 66 knockout victory on Saturday, Deniz Ilbay spoke with Cageside Press backstage. When asked about the trash talk from rival Max Holzer, Ilbay took time to clear the air. Holzer has in the past claimed that Ilbay didn’t sign a contract to fight him.

Ilbay shared that he was planned to face off with Vladimir Lengal, his opponent from Oktagon 66, in his promotional debut, however that never materialized. Following his debut, he continued to be offered Lengal, which he accepted, but other fights ended up taking place, as we’ve seen. Ilbay said that there were no contracts with Max Holzer’s name on them, and that if Oktagon MMA wanted to make the fight, they would have by now, and Ilbay would have signed.

At Oktagon 66, Deniz Ilbay’s performance won him the Tipsport Gamechanger 5000 Euro bonus. In the post-fight press conference, Ilbay shared that he planned to donate 500 euro to a local home for children, which Ondrej Novotny, Oktagon MMA promoter, said he would match. “El Pistolero” also plans to auction off his fight shirt, with all profits going to the aforementioned charity. Keep an eye on his social media if you would also like to donate to the cause.