Seven straight wins, five coming under the Oktagon MMA banner. A fight with a former Cage Warriors title challenger. For featherweight Gjoni Palokaj, what else could his Oktagon 82 match-up be, other than a title eliminator?
Palokaj (12-3) meets James Hendin this Saturday in Dusseldorf, Germany. “I know he’s one of the best guys here in the organization, and I know it will be one of my hardest fights,” stated Palokaj in a recent interview with Cageside Press.
But the upside of the fight is the potential of a title shot. One that Palokaj is confident he will see next.
“For sure. I know when I win this fight, I will be the next on the line. I know this. Who else can fight for the title?” he questioned. “I’m the only one with 5-0 in Oktagon. And when I win the next fight, I’m 6-0. No one else has my run.”
The Oktagon MMA featherweight title currently sits vacant, but it won’t be for long. The belt will be on the line at Oktagon 83, when Niko Samsonidse faces Mochamed Machaev.
“To be honest, Niko and me, we are friends. If it’s possible, I don’t want to fight him,” admitted Palokaj, asked about who he’d rather face for gold. “Maybe to be honest, when I can fight for the title, we can do it. For me, it’s okay.”
It’s tough situation to be sure, wanting the best for a friend, but knowing that could lead to a fight between the two of you. “It’s crazy!” Either way, Gjonni Palokaj plans to be on hand at Oktagon 83 to see that main event in person. “Yes, I want to go there, I want to see the fight. Because I want to see who wins this fight, and we will see. Yes, I want to see this fight of course.”
In the meantime, Palokaj wants to stay busy in 2026. “My plan is to win this fight, and then Oktagon is going to come in May in Hanover, and of course I will fight in my hometown. After this, I want to go to the stadium in Frankfurt.”
Watch our full interview with Oktagaon 82’s Gjoni Palokaj above. The event takes place this Saturday, January 17, 2026 in Dusseldorf, Germany.
