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.

After doctors shut down his weight cut, Surdu came in at 178lbs on Friday, a full eight pounds over championship weight. As a result, only challenger Andrej Kalašnik remains eligible to win the belt, which will remain vacant should Surdu triumph in the fight itself.

Talk about Halloween havoc. Surdu will be paying a full 50% of his purse in terms of a fine, and that wasn’t the only massacre at the scale on Friday. Radek Roušal missed the featherweight limit by two pounds, coughing up 20% of his purse as a result.

Where to Watch Oktagon MMA

Oktagon 79 takes place on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at the Winning Group Arena in Brno, Czech Republic. The card streams live via Oktagon.tv starting at 12:30PM ET, 9:30AM PT. Full results from the event can be found below.

Oktagon 79: Surdu vs. Kalašnik Results

Main Card

Ion Surdu def. Andrej Kalašnik via R1 TKO, 4:27 – for the vacant Oktagon MMA welterweight championship, only Kalašnik eligible to win title
Vladimír Lengál def. Ognjen Dimić via R2 TKO, 4:52
Tomáš Mudroch def. Jakub Dohnal via R1 KO, 2:01
Radek Roušal def. Corey Fry via R1 KO, 1:54
Pedro Oliveira def. Daniel Ligocki via Unanimous Decision
Samuel Bark def. Mate Sanikidze R3 SUB (RNC), 4:31

Preliminary Card

Nathan Haywood def. Lukáš Chotěnovský via R1 TKO, 2:58
Václav Štěpán def. Karol Kutyła via R2 SUB (Kimura), 3:46
Stephan Guidea def. Liam Pitts via R1 SUB (RNC), 2:29
Vašek Klimša def. Jessy Joaquim via R1 SUB (Von Flue), 1:23
Harun Kurt def. Šimon Bruknar via Unanimous Decision

The post Oktagon 79: Surdu vs. Kalašnik Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Promotion officials announced the opening round match-ups for the tournament on Saturday via press release. This year’s Gamechanger tournament kicks off in February, and familiar names like Ion Surdu, Andreas Michailidis, Krzysztof Jotko and David Zawada, among others.

UFC veteran Jotko (25-6, 1NC) will be making his promotional debut for Oktagon MMA when he takes on Ion Surdu (16-6) at a date yet to be confirmed. The Polish standout spent nearly 10 years competing inside the UFC octagon, earning wins over the likes of Gerald Meerschaert, Eryk Anders, and Marc-Andre Barriault.

Andreas Michailidis, who has also competed for Bellator, went 1-3 from 2020 to 2022 with the UFC. He did not have an easy run with the company, paired up with future two-division champ Alex Pereira and surging Russian star Rinat Fakhretdinov.

The opening round line-up for the Tipsport Gamechanger Middleweight Tournament is as follows:

OKTAGON 66 in Düsseldorf, Germany, on February 1
Kerim Engizek (21-4) vs. Anthony Salamone (8-2)
Matěj Peňáz (9-1) vs. David Zawada (19-10)

OKTAGON 67 in Třinec, Czech Republic, on February 22
Piotr Wawrzyniak (13-6) vs. Marek Mazúch (9-2)
Miloš Petrášek (13-7) vs. Mick Stanton (13-8)

OKTAGON 70 in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, on April 26
Vlasto Čepo (12-3) vs. Erhan Kartal (12-2)
‘Pirát’ Krištofič (17-6) vs. Wildcard (TBC)

Events to be confirmed
Ion Surdu (16-6) vs. Krzysztof Jotko (25-6, 1NC)
Andreas Michailidis (16-8) vs. Mark Hulme (12-3)

The post Oktagon MMA Announces Match-Ups for €1 Million Middleweight Tournament appeared first on Cageside Press.

This Saturday at Oktagon 64, Todev has a chance to right that wrong. After securing two wins and two finishes, Todev faces Moeil for a second time in the main event of the card in Munchen, Germany. And while the locale puts Todev in Moeil’s backyard, the Bulgarian has resided in Germany for years, and feels perfectly at home there.

The main event is one of two title fights on Saturday’s Oktagon 64 card. The other puts Kaik Brito against Ion Surdu for the vacant welterweight title.

Where to Watch Oktagon MMA

Saturday, December 7, 2024 finds Oktagon MMA at the SAP Garden in München, Germany. The card streams live via Oktagon.tv. Full results from the event can be found below.

Oktagon 64: Moeil vs. Todev II Results

Main Card

Hatef Moeil (c) vs. Lazar Todev – for the Oktagon MMA heavyweight championship – Moeil withdrew ahead of the fight after being fined for actions at the pre-fight press conference
Ion Surdu def. Kaik Brito by KO (head kick), Round 1, 2:34 – for the vacant Oktagon MMA welterweight championship
Alexander Poppeck vs. Mateusz Strzelczyk ends in a No Contest (illegal knee), Round 1, 2:28
Max Holzer def. Eugen Black-Dell by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Patrick Vespaziani def. Sebastian Herzberg by TKO, Round 2, 2:57

Preliminary Card

Jakub Dohnal def. Michael Deiga-Scheck by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 2:43
Jaime Cordero def. Ion Taburceanu by submission (kimura), Round 1, 1:00
Gökhan Aksu def. Jan Malach by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1
Marek Bartl def. Endrit Brajshori by submission (inverted triangle), Round 1
Fedor Duric def. Jan Stanovský by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

The post Oktagon 64: Moeil vs. Todev II Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

After being knocked out by Vegh five years ago, Vemola will be looking for revenge against the former Bellator MMA light heavyweight champ. This time around, Vemola is holding gold, while Vegh has not competed since their first meeting in 2019, which ended just over two minutes into the opening round.

In the co-main event, former champ David Kozma faces Ion Surdu with the chance to compete for the now-vacant 170lb title on the line, while earlier in the night, David Zawada, a UFC and PFL veteran, looks to make a case for his own title shot at 185lbs.

Where to Watch Oktagon 58

Oktagon 58 takes place Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the Eden Stadium in Prague, Czech Republic. The card streams live via Oktagon.tv; full results can be found below.

Oktagon 58: Vemola vs. Vegh 2 Results

Main Card

Karlos Vémola (c) def. Attila Végh by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 2, 0:45 – for the Oktagon MMA light heavyweight championship
Ion Surdu def. David Kozma by KO, Round 1, 2:22 – winner fights for vacant Oktagon MMA welterweight championship
Marek Mazúch def. David Zawada by KO, Round 1, 1:15
Shem Rock def. Jaroslav Pokorný by technical submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:06

Preliminary Card

Mateusz Legierski def. Akonne Wanliss by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27) – Tipsport Gamechanger Quarter Final
Miloš Petrášek def. Kamil Wojciechowski by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Acoidan Duque def. Mago Machaev by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – Tipsport Gamechanger Quarter Final
Amiran Gogoladze def. ‘Apollo’ Silva by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) – winner fights for vacant Oktagon MMA welterweight championship
Deniz Ilbay def. Denis Tripšanský by TKO (knee and punches), Round 2, 2:16
Attila Korkmaz def. Makwan Amirkhani by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 3:37 – Tipsport Gamechanger Reserve Bout

The post Oktagon 58: Vemola vs. Vegh 2 Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Coming off a loss, Surdu (14-6) recently spoke with Cageside Press about his bounce-back fight, and the opportunities it affords.

“Of course I changed something, small things,” Sordu explained, asked whether he had changed anything in training following his loss to Stefano Paternò back in December. “After the losses, all losses are a lesson for us, and we try to turn the key for next week. So of course I changed some small things, I added some small things for my training camp. But as usual, my mentality and all focus is on the belt. That’s small stuff and baggage on the ride to the top, for sure.”

Surdu vs. Kozma has been announced as a title eliminator, meaning there’s even more on the line in the co-main event at Oktagon 58. The welterweight belt currently sits vacant. In spite of what is on the line, Surdu is hoping he gets the best David Kozma possible.

“I’m looking forward to [face] him in the cage. I hope he will be in the best shape of his career because I am, and for sure it will be fire. I want to give the public what they’re waiting for, what they paid for. I want to give them a show not only in the cage but outside of the cage.”

“When I step in the cage, it’s hard for my opponents. I’m, all the time, going to finish him,” Surdu added, noting that he’s often told fans “don’t blink in my fights, because they can end any time, my fight can get finished.”

All that said, Surdu knows the former champ is a tough test with so much on the line. “Of course he’s a dangerous guy, he’s an experienced guy but my time is coming.”

He’s also hoping that the fight goes the distance, so he can give the fans a show.

“I hope it will be 15 minutes, I hope it will be 15 minutes of war because I’m ready, because I’m ready to wrestle him, I’m ready to punch him in standup. Now I’m in really good shape, and I know I’m better in every position. I hope it will be 15 minutes of a really good show for the fans, and a real good war. But at the same time, if I will touch him, trust me, he will shut down.”

Sordu believes that Kozma has had the damage piling up, especially after his last fight. “If I will catch him, for sure he will be in trouble.”

Watch our full interview with Oktagon 58’s Ion Surdu above.

The post Ion Surdu Hoping for 15 Minute War with David Kozma at Oktagon 58 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Lightweight, Iuri Lapicus (14-0)

Iuri Lapicus is an excellent prospect out of Moldova. He competes for ONE Championship, beating both Shannon Wiratchai and Marat Gafurov. Lapicus is also the next in line to fights Christian Lee for the ONE lightweight title. Lapicus has excellent judo and is primarily a grappler. He has finished all fourteen of his fights; ten of those have come by submission. Not much of a striker but it seems as he’s steadily improving there

Featherweight, Denis Palancica (7-0)

Denis Palancica is a young man out of Moldova who is a combined 13-0 in combat sports. He went 5-0 in amateur MMA and 1-0 as a pro boxer. He hasn’t fought competition at too high of a level, but he has looked right at home in his seven professional bouts. On the feet, Palancica is talented as he is quick and really throws a good one-two. He does a great job striking and then changing levels and getting the takedown, as his wrestling is solid. He’s at his best on the mat as he thrives in the scrambles, and does a great job at transitions and getting into dominant positions. Palancica has fight-ending ground and pound as well. Overall, at 23 he has a good future.

Welterweight, Ion Surdu (10-0)

Ion Surdu is a very green fighter still but has a lot of talent. In his most recent fight last December he won the RXF Welterweight Championship. He hasn’t fought the best competition but his high finish rate helps his case. Surdu is a long striker who is technical while throwing a lot of output. He’s got good quick hands and throws good combinations mixing in kicks as well. He will slow down as the fight goes on and he does at times get hit too much, but these are areas he can improve at with more experience.

Lightweight, Laurențiu Călugăru (12-2)

Laurentiu Calugaru is well-rounded and all-in-all a legit finisher no matter where the fight is at. Both losses in his career, Calugaru was able to get his revenge and beat both opponents in the rematch, stopping each man inside three rounds. On the feet, he throws good long punches and has some solid kickboxing. He throws combinations well and is good at mixing it up between kicks and punches. This product out of Romania wants to go for the kill so you will see him sling heavy leather, throw head kicks, and flying knees. Calugaru can wrestle as well but it’s when his opponent shoots when he is more dangerous. He’s a good counter wrestler and of four submissions, three of those are by guillotine.

Welterweight, Vladislav Popovskiy (17-2)

Out of Romania, Vladislav Popovskiy is a bright prospect. Of all these prospects, Popovskiy has the most experience. He’s an aggressive guy who will always press forward to close the distance. He’s a grapple-heavy fighter who on the feet does have power but prefers to fight on the mat. Popovskiy is a dangerous dude when it comes to ground and pound, with his being fight-ending. Outside of that, he is a submission threat and has solid grappling on top or bottom.

The post Scouting the Globe: The Five Best Prospects From Romania and Moldova appeared first on Cageside Press.