The fight will feature prominently on the EMC 6 card on October 31, which will crown the inaugural EMC welterweight champion in the main event.

Akman (6-2) had a two-fight stint in the UFC last year, after starting his professional career a perfect 6-0. However, after losing bouts to Jake Matthews and Sergey Khandozhko, both via decision, he was bounced from the promotion.

In his first fight since exiting the UFC, Akman will take on Turkey’s Kerim Engizek (15-4), who holds welterweight gold in GMC. Engizek has won eight straight fights dating back to 2015. Fighting out of Germany, Engizek boasts an 80% finishing rate.

TUF 27 winner and UFC vet Brad Katona also features on the EMC 6 card, as he challenges Stipe Brcic for gold. The event takes place in Dusseldorf, Germany and will stream live via Fite TV.

Currently, EMC 6 consists of the following bouts:

Ismail Naurdiev vs. Amiran Gogoladze – for the Inaugural EMC welterweight championship
Stipe Brcic (c) vs. Brad Katona – for the EMC bantamweight championship
Kerim Engizek vs. Rostem Akman
Hussein Kadimagomaev vs. Tobias Harila
Ivan Cosic vs. Shota Gvasalia
Pascal Hintzen vs. Bakhtiyar

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TUF Nations veteran Jake Matthews headed into his 12th octagon outing at UFC 243. The 25-year old ‘Celtic Kid’ entered the fight off a loss to Anthony Rocco Martin last December. However, prior to that, he’d run up three straight wins — and looked to get back in the win column at home against Rostem Akman, who was 0-1 in the promotion to start the night.

Matthew’s chopped away at Akman’s lead leg early, while Akman had his hands going. Matthews would fire off a high kick that was blocked. He looked light on his feet, and that movement would be key against the powerful Rostem Akman.

For all of Akman’s power, however, he fought a measured fight early. And it was Matthews clipping his opponent first, with a right hand. That punch would land several times for the Australian.

In the second, Matthews continued to show the better movement of the two, circling. He’d catch Akman early in the frame. Akman would throw a counter-right on a Matthews entry, but the hometown favorite appeared no worse for the wear.

Matthews would touch his opponent with a front kick, a glancing blow. But neither man seemed to really get going. By the third, Akman was lagging behind, mainly due to accuracy issues. A takedown would do him a world of good, but it never came. He seemed committed to trade with Matthews. It was Matthews who would take the back later in the round, wrenching Akman to the mat. However, he was unable to keep him there. The sudden shift to grappling ate more time that Akman desperately needed, however, and it was Matthews landing off the break.

Official Result: Jake Matthews def. Rostem Akman by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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Rostem Akman was making his promotional debut at UFC Stockholm. The Swedish fighter came in with a 6-0 record featuring five knockouts and one submission. His last fight came just last month, where he won by third-round knockout.

Sergey Khandozhko was also making his UFC debut on Saturday. The Russian is a veteran of the sport with a 26-5-1 record with 10 knockouts and seven submissions. Oddly enough, he was signed to the promotion for this fight on just a two-fight win streak.

The pair exchanged early, but Akman opted to pursue a takedown, pressing his opponent into the cage. No dice on the attempt, and they met again in center. Akman walked his opponent down, while Khandozhko worked to maintain distance. Akman certainly showed some power, and mixed in some low kicks, while Khandozhko looked to land a left hook. However, far too often Khandozhko swung wild, and at the end of the round, Akman was able to rock him.

Khandozhko opened the second attacking the lead leg of Rostem Akman. Almost immediately, the Swede was showing some redness on the limb. Akman, however, was able to back his opponent up; Khandozhko created some space with a kick to the body. The pair would continue to exchange, and it was Khandozhko stunning his opponent with a punch. Akman went down, perhaps in part having lost his balance, and Khandozhko followed him down, only to have to avoid getting his leg caught. Pulling free, they returned to the feet and it was Akman who drove his foe into the cage, but Khandozhko managed to be the one getting the fight down. Akman was quickly free, back up, and then down again in a scramble that ended with Akman in side control at the buzzer.

Round three saw Akman again walking his opponent down, with Khandozhko on the outside. In an exchange by the fence, Khandozhko landed a punch that briefly stunned Akman. He would recover, and later in the round get the fight to the floor. He nearly pulled Khandozhko on top of him, however, and had to briefly give up control. A quick adjustment, and Akman had Khandozhko down again. Akman’s pressure was beginning to add up, but in the final ten seconds Khandozhko would manage to crack Akman one last time.

It was close as it headed to the judges, who ultimately ruled in favor of Khandozhko. Not a popular decision with the Swedish crowd, but certainly not a robbery.

Sergey Khandozhko def. Rostem Akman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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The UFC is coming to Stockholm, Sweden, on June 1 in the Ericsson Globe Arena. The card is full and it is headlined between Anthony Smith and Alexander Gustafsson. Also on the card are many rising stars and six debuting prospects. That includes Sergey Khandozhko, who was supposed to take on Bartosz Fabinski. Unfortunately, Fabinski pulled out due to injury and would be replaced by the debuting Rostem Akman.

“Kurdimus Prime”
6’0″
Welterweight
27-years-old
Stockholm, Sweden
Fightzone Stockholm
6-0
5 KO/TKO
1 Submission (Heel Hook)

How Does Rostem Akman Fare in the UFC:

Akman is only 6-0 as a professional but had a long amateur career going 14-2. As an amateur, he was a two-time IMMAF European Champion and a two-time Swedish Champion in 2014 and 2015. Akman has been taken down by lesser fighters but has done a good job getting back to his feet. He also has a heel hook victory from his back. He has some experience in boxing and that’s shown as it’s his striking that is his strong suit. Akman has good hands going to the body and head impressively. He’s got some good pop behind his punches as it’s his shot selection and precision that stands out. Overall, I think this is a good signing from the UFC and he may have a high ceiling but his debut will tell a lot about him going forward.

• Striking: B+
• Kickboxing: C+
• Clinch: C
• Wrestling: C
• Grappling: C+
• Striking Defense: C+
• Takedown Defense: C-
• Cardio: C+
• Biggest Strength: Striking
• Biggest Weakness: TDD

How Rostem Akman Matches Up with Sergey Khandozhko:

The biggest issue for both guys would probably be their takedown defense. Sergey would most likely be the one to get the takedowns but has shown his grappling isn’t good enough. Sergey relies on counters and his distance control but his rhythm is off and Akman is easily the better striker. Sergey has tons more experience and has fought way better competition only ever losing to good fighters. Akman should be better on the feet as he presses forward more and is just the more technical striker. Sergey may have the advantage on the mat but I’m not being too impressed with his wrestling and grappling. I’m confident in Akman winning.

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