Both Igor Severino and Zhalgas Zhumagulov had seen their UFC runs go awry, albeit under very different circumstances. For Severino, biting an opponent during a fight had led to him being dropped by the company unceremoniously. No surprise, given the seriousness of the foul, but Severino leaned into the incident, adopting the nickname “The Hannibal” and wearing a Hannibal Lecter-style face mask ahead of fights.

Zhalgas Zhumagulov had no such controversy in the UFC. Rather, he just couldn’t catch a break. Too many questionable decisions were scored against him, eventually spelling the end of his time with the company.

Both would go on to sign with Oktagon, and both would win titles: Severino at bantamweight, Zhumagulov at flyweight. At Oktagon 89, Zhalgas Zhumagulov moved up, looking to become the company’s next double champ. Severino, meanwhile, was looking to take a bite out of another big-name opponent. Pun fully intended.

Former ranked UFC heavyweight Martin Buday was also on the card, against Oktagon mainstay Lazar Todev.

Where to Watch Oktagon 89

Oktagon 89 takes place on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at the Tipos Arena in Bratislava, Slovakia. The full card streams live via Oktagon.tv staring at 11:30AM ET, 8:30AM PT. Full results can be found below.

Oktagon 89: Severino vs. Zhumagulov Results

Main Card

Igor Severino (c) vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov ends in a No Contest (low blow), Round 2, 2:26 – for the Oktagon MMA bantamweight championship
Jack Grant def. Ronald Paradeiser by submission (Scottish twister), Round 1, 1:44
Lazar Todev def. Martin Buday by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Robert Pukač def. Brian Manning by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Veronika Smolková def. Lisa Kyriacou by submission (arm-bar), Round 2, 3:04
Marek Bartl def. Jozef Wittner by TKO (knee/punches), Round 2, 3:46

Preliminary Card

Radovan Úškrt def. Ondřej Raška by KO, Round 1, 1:49
Rastislav Zvara def. Michal Novotný by TKO, Round 1, 2:15
Adam Pałasz def. Patrick Vespaziani by TKO (punches), Round 1, 1:37
Karol Ryšavý vs. Daniel Schordje ends in a unanimous draw (28-28, 28-28, 28-28)
Ayton De Paepe def. Marco Novák by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Dastan Amangeldy def. Moktar Benkaci by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

The post Oktagon 89: Severino vs. Zhumagulov Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

The program, per Oktagon officials, was created in conjunction with the Czech Anti-Doping Committee, and designed according to WADA and Czech Anti-Doping standards. Sample collectors (doping control officers) will work hand-in-hand with the Czech Anti-Doping Committee, with the athletes being tested at the discretion of said officers.

The program will launch on June 6, the date of Oktagon 89 in Slovakia. The initial phase of the testing program with focus on stimulants (i.e. EPO) that can be utilized immediately prior to a fight, and which clear the body in a short span. Testing will then expand to include include anabolic substances, steroids and other forms of doping.

“This is one of the biggest steps in OKTAGON history toward the professionalization of the sport. In European MMA, we are pioneers in this direction and the first organization in the region to come up with a real anti-doping system according to WADA and Czech anti-doping standards,” Oktagon co-owner and promoter, Ondřej Novotný, was quoted as saying in Thursday’s press release.

“We are starting in Bratislava, then continuing in Germany. We didn’t want to just create a marketing gesture, but a functional and long-term sustainable system. Therefore, we are simultaneously publishing the list of prohibited substances, testing rules and specific penalties.”

A list of banned substances is now available on the Oktagon MMA website.

The post Oktagon MMA Announces Drug Testing Program with WADA Standards appeared first on Cageside Press.

Szabova (11-0), who also holds flyweight gold in Oktagon, will take on UFC veteran Lucie Pudilova (17-11) at Oktagon 92 on August 1, 2026.

Promotion officials announced the title fight booking in a press release issued on Tuesday.

Slovakia’s “Silent Killer” Szabova won the Oktagon MMA women’s bantamweight championship last August, defeating Cecilie Bolander with punches from mount to claim the first of her two championships. A bout with Leidiane Fernandes for flyweight gold had been booked for February; with Fernandes out due to injury, they instead met in April at Oktagon 87. Once again, Szabova took mount and finished the fight with ground n’ pound.

The 28-year old, who has also competed in Muay Thai and kickboxing, has earned all her professional MMA wins under the Oktagon MMA banner.

Pudilova, a Czech star, had two stints with the UFC: first from 2017 to 2020, and later from 2022 to 2024. She returned to Oktagon MMA in in September 2024 and has posted a 3-1 record since, with victories in her last two outings. Most recently, she earned a unanimous decision win over fellow veteran Katharina Lehner back in January.

Oktagon 92 on August 1 takes place in Prague, Czech Republic at the Central Tennis Court Štvanice.

The post Oktagon Double Champ Szabova to Face UFC Vet Pudilova appeared first on Cageside Press.

While no title fight headlined Saturday’s Oktagon card, a grudge match between German featherweight Max Holzer and UFC/RIZIN vet Khalid Taha topped the card. Holzer, who was forced out of a September date with Taha, entered the bout a perfect 11-0. Taha had been a bit testy ahead of Oktagon 88 thanks to Holzer’s earlier withdrawal, making this one a little personal.

Heavyweight Simon Biyong, a Bellator, PFL, and RIZIN veteran, was also on the Oktagon 88 main card on Saturday. Biyong was paired up with Evgeny Orlov; both were looking for their first win in the promotion.

Where to Watch Oktagon 88

Oktagon 88 was set for the Zag Arena in Hannover, Germany on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The card streams live via Oktagon.tv starting at 11:30AM ET, 8:30AM PT. Full results from the event can be found below.

Oktagon 88: Holzer vs. Taha Results

Main Card

Max Holzer def. Khalid Taha by TKO, Round 1, 3:14
Hugo Vach def. Teo Smith by KO, Round 1, 2:50
Simon Biyong def. Evgeny Orlov by TKO, Round 1, 3:45
Altin Zenuni def. Dawid Jarowienko by KO, Round 1, 0:52
Raphael Federico def. Haci Akseker by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Preliminary Card

Christian Draxler def. Daniel Makin by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ivana Petrović def. Danielle Misteli by TKO, Round 1, 3:42
Justin Detzel def. Mate Kola by submission (suloev stretch), Round 3, 2:03
Bedirhan Kabak def. Imran Daurbekov by TKO, Round 3, 1:11
Jan Holzer def. Paul Kulze by TKO, Round 1, 1:54 – amateur bout

The post Oktagon 88: Holzer vs. Taha Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Lucia Szabová already holds bantamweight gold in Oktagon, and was looking to add a second title to her trophy case in the form of the promotion’s vacant 125lb scrap. Looking to put a wrench in the works was Brazilian Leidiane Fernandes, a former Jungle Fights champ making her promotional debut.

At 10-0, Szabová has been looking like Oktagon’s answer to Dakota Ditcheva, and a second belt would give her a real foothold in the promotion.

In the co-main event, meanwhile, former ONE Championship welterweight champ Zebaztian Kadestam made his promotional debut against Dominick Humburger.

Where to Watch Oktagon 87

Oktagon 87 takes place on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the Home Credit Arena in Liberec, Czech Republic. The full card streams live via Oktagon.tv starting at 11:30AM ET, 8:30AM PT. Full results from the event can be found below.

Oktagon 87: Szabová vs. Fernandes Results

Main Card

Lucia Szabová def. Leidiane Fernandes by TKO, Round 3, 2:12 – for the vacant Oktagon MMA women’s flyweight championship
Dominik Humburger def. Zebaztian Kadestam by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-26)
Radek Roušal def. Samuel Bark by KO, Round 1, 1:15
Josef Hála def. Tomáš Mudroch by KO, Round 2, 1:48 – STAND and BANG rules
Ozan Aslaner def. Vladimír Lengál by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jan Malach def. Stefan Končar by TKO, Round 3, 1:58

Preliminary Card

Vojtech Garba def. Mateusz Strzelczyk by TKO, Round 1, 3:48
Václav Štěpán def. Firas Daud by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Mileide Simplicio def. Josefine Knutsson by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:55
Liam Pitts def. Kacper Matyszewski by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:52
Alex Hutyra def. Umut Birdal by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 3:44

The post Oktagon 87 Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I moved to the United States with the help of Meab Dvalishvili. I was living with Merab in his house, and I was training in a Syndicate MMA,” Gogoladze said speaking through a translator. “There were many, many good guys and many, many fighters who have helped me to develop my skills and all the stuff, but mostly I was training with Khalil Rountree Jr., and we were the main training partners for each other, and he helped me to evolve a lot.”

However, it wasn’t just the team at Syndicate MMA that helped him to grow. He travelled around to many places in the city to make sure that he could get the most out of the experience.

“I was training with those guys, and also I was trying different training places in Las Vegas,” he said. “So, physically and mentally, I’m so strong after those days, and I’m more than ready for everything.”

Now in the best shape of his life, Gogoladze looks ahead to his fight with former champion, Ion Surdu. He knows just what’s at stake in this fight and is ready to come take it.

“He’s technically undefeated in the title fights and he lost the belt outside the cage,” Gogoladze said. “So we’re gonna see how how everything goes and also I’m more than ready and more than sure that this is gonna be a number one contender fight. If I win this fight and it goes to the championship fight.”

You can catch his bout against Surdu on the Oktagon 86 main card. The fight card begins at 12:00pm EST and airs on Oktagon.tv this Saturday.

The post Oktagon 86’s Amiran Gogoladze: Leveled Up appeared first on Cageside Press.

The main event saw a “stand and bang” (read: no grappling) rules fight between Polish star Michal Materla and Germany’s Christian Jungwirth. Also in action, former KSW champ Tomasz Narkun (taking on veteran Alexander Poppeck in the co-main event), and ex-Oktagon welterweight champion Ion Surdu.

After losing his title at the scale last fall, Surdu was looking to work his way back to another championship opportunity against Amiran Gogoladze, a fight that had been in the works several times before.

Where to Watch Oktagon 86

Saturday, April 11, 2026 sees Oktagon MMA in action at the Enea Arena in Szczecin, Poland. Oktagon 86 streams live via Oktagon.tv; full results can be found below. The action gets underway at 11:30AM ET, 8:30AM PT.

Oktagon 86: Materla vs. Jungwirth Results

Main Card

Michał Materla def. Christian Jungwirth by unanimous decision (48-46, 49-45, 48-46) – stand and bang rules
Alexander Poppeck def. Tomasz Narkun by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Amiran Gogoladze def. Ion Surdu by KO, Round 1, 2:34
Mateusz Janur def. Robin Roos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Michał Piwowarski def. Timo Feucht by TKO, Round 2, 3:57
Henrique Madureira def. Jonatan Kujawa by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-26)

Preliminary Card

Jan Stanovský def. Łukasz Rajewski by TKO (elbows), Round 2, 4:16
Kacper Frątczak def. Zoran Solaja by TKO, Round 3, 2:39
Natan Niewiadomski def. Patrick Spirk by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:08
Lukáš Chotěnovský def. Michał Hawro by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 4:14
Niamh Kinehan def. Emilia Czerwińska by TKO, Round 3, 4:48

The post Oktagon 86 Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

The fight has been booked before, and as former champ Surdu told Cageside Press recently, “a few times we had a chance, but unfortunately, the fight didn’t work so now is the third one. Hopefully we’ll be all good until the fight.”

Asked if he had any trepidation about the fight falling through once again, Surdu (17-7) admitted that “our business is a hard business. Until the last day, you can be good but on the last day you can do something or you can have some problem unfortunately. I hope that it will be all good with my opponent, with me, and finally we will meet each other in the cage. But at the same time if something happens, I’m ready for all [comers].”

Surdu never lost his welterweight title in a fight, instead, he lost the belt on the scales, missing weight back in November. What happened after that loss sheds some light on why the mishap occurred in the first place.

“After that I went for a blood test, I did tests on my body and unfortunately there was bacteria in my body. Because of this bacteria, my kidneys were blocked and I couldn’t do my weight, so for that [reason] I missed the weight.”

Clearing the bacteria from his body and making a few changes in camp has Surdu back on target for the welterweight division. And despite having gone up to middleweight before, he never considered another move up.

The day or so between losing his title and actually fighting (and defeating) Andrej Kalašnik last November, meanwhile, was a tumultuous one.

“It was a crazy, crazy 24 hours. I [missed] the weight, there was a chance to not fight, because 3 and a half kilos, it was a lot, and much respect to Kalašnik that he accepted the fight,” stated Surdu. “Of course I gave him 50% of my purse but yeah, he accepted the fight. I did a few things from doctors and I got back. Mindset, I can say I have one of the best mindsets in the game because I know what I can do. When people say that I can’t do something, for me it’s the best motivation.”

“At the same time when I step into the arena, when I walk into the cage, all the people were hating me. It was a crazy, crazy atmosphere. First time in my life, 60% of the highlights were on me but for me, it was the best. Because under pressure, I’m good.”

In fact, under pressure is exactly where Ion Surdu wants to be. “When it’s the biggest pressure of my life, I’m good. So I love to be under pressure, and you can see that in my last fight, in my performance.”

Watch our full interview with Oktagon 86’s Ion Surdu above. The event takes place on Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Szczecin, Poland.

The post Oktagon 86’s Ion Surdu: “I Love to Be Under Pressure” appeared first on Cageside Press.

As announced by Oktagon MMA on Sunday, Zhumagulov (19-9) will move up to bantamweight to face Igor Severino (10-1) at Oktagon 89 on June 6, 2026, with Severino’s bantamweight championship on the line.

It’s an impressive turn from Zhumagulov, who has won five fights since exiting the UFC on a four fight skid that included three consecutive split decision losses to names like Joshua Van and Charles “Inner G” Johnson.

The former FNG flyweight champ, hailing from Kazakhstan, defended his Oktagon title against UFC vet David Dvorak in his last outing.

He gets another UFC alum in Severino, who defeated Khurshed Kakhorov last month to claim Oktagon’s previously vacant bantamweight title. Severino was previously best known for a biting incident in the UFC which saw him lose to Andre Lima by DQ. The Brazilian has leaned into the controversy, which saw him cut by the organization, and now bills himself as “The Hannibal.”

The Contender Series winner is 2-0 in Oktagon MMA to date.

Oktagon 89 takes place at the Tipos Arena in Bratislava, Slovakia on June 6, 2026 and also features a heavyweight showdown between former title challengers Martin Buday and Lazar Todev.

The post Zhalgas Zhumagulov Moving Up, Faces Igor Severino for Second Title at Oktagon 89 appeared first on Cageside Press.

In an announcement issued via press release, promotion officials have revealed that former UFC heavyweight Martin Buday (16-3) will take on ex-Oktagon title challenger Lazar Todev (13-7) at Oktagon 89.

The event takes place on June 6, 2026 at the Tipos Aréna in Bratislava, Slovakia.

After exiting the UFC on a three-fight win streak that included victories over ex-champ Andre Arlovski and jiu-jitsu champion Buchecha, Buday made his Oktagon debut in a title fight against double-champ (light heavyweight and heavyweight) Will Fleury. That turned into a disastrous night for the 34-year old Slovakian, as he was finished on the feet in under two minutes.

Bulgaria’s Todev also suffered a setback in a title fight with Fleury last year. After a wild turn of events ahead of a scheduled title fight with then-champ Hatif Moeil, Todev found himself facing Fleury for gold. That, after Moeil abruptly left the promotion after being fined for starting a brawl at a press conference.

Todev came up short against Fleury, losing a decision last March. He’s since bounced back with victories over a pair of UFC veterans however: Luis Henrique and Josh Parisian (in what turned out to be Parisian’s retirement fight).

A third victory over a UFC alum, and a recent fellow title challenger, would almost certainly land Todev another crack at Fleury.

The post Martin Buday to Face Lazar Todev at Oktagon 89 appeared first on Cageside Press.