Europe
Losene Keita Exclusive: From Jail To OKTAGON Champion
Losene Keita. Photo via Twitter (@keitaplusser)
OKTAGON champion Losene Keita has looked absolutely outstanding in his young professional MMA career.
Sporting a 12-1 record, with only injury halting his unblemished record, only the sky seems to be the limit for the young fighter.
Next Saturday, the featherweight champ will defend his strap against Dutch two-time Cage Warriors champion Agy “The Wolverine” Sardari.
“It’s a great fight. I wanted a big name, he’s one of the biggest names around,” Keita tells Frontkick in an exclusive interview. “His record of 17-4 speaks for itself. That’s why I wanted the fight.”
“I feel like nobody beat me”
At 26, Keita has already achieved much as a professional MMA fighter.
Back in June 2022, he laid his hands on the Oktagon lightweight title as he defeated Ivan Buchinger in the first round. Less than a year later he won the interim featherweight title by stopping Jakub Tichot.
As a lightweight champion and interim featherweight titleholder, Keita got the chance to unify the 145 lbs division against Mate Sanikidze this past July. Unfortunately he broke his leg in the first minute of the fight, with the first kick he threw.
Do you count it as a loss or do you still feel undefeated?
“Well, how do you say? It’s a double feeling. I feel like nobody beat me, but on the other hand I’m not doing the sport to have a zero on my record. For me, personally, I’m still undefeated. I have a dream of being the best. I’m not gonna worry about a perfect record and money. If I just keep winning everything else will follow.”
Even though Ketia ended up suffering his first career defeat in the worst way possible, he still returned just about four months later with another quick win.
“My leg is great now. I even set up the finish in the last fight from that leg.”
Suffering a tough injury. Photo via OKTAGON MMA
The road to become a successful MMA fighter was not straight for Losene Keita.
Born in Guinea in 1997, he moved to Belgium as a 12-year-old, where he got into street fights and all kinds of troubles. Things eventually got out of hand and led to a stint in prison. However, without even knowing it, he made a life-changing decision when picked up MMA as a 18-year-old, and quickly gained a reputation as a fierce finisher.
“When I started I fought at 77 kilos. My first fight at lightweight was in OKTAGON. I was 8-0 as an amateur and 6-0 as a pro before my OKTAGON debut in 2021.”
As a popular MMA star on the European continent, with titles and flashy knockouts to his name, Losene Keita is on the radar for every major promotion in the world.
What will be the next step for you?
“Just to keep on winning. I’m in the OKTAGON tournament now, and I hope to end this year winning every fight. Then we will see next year. I don’t know what will happen next. Some other promotions are interested in me. I just focus on this year and win.”
Would it make sense for you to sign with UFC and fight your way up, or do you rather stay as a champion in OKTAGON?
“I got the offer three times from UFC already, but letting this go for money is crazy. I have stability and good money in OKTAGON and the fans love me here.”
“I’m just 26 years old, I can still get money and experience and then go to the UFC. I could be a top five fighter in their featherweight division right now. If the UFC really wants me they will offer me a better deal. Right now it would be like leaving my home in OKTAGON for nothing.”
However, even if the young champion wants a better offer he does have an opponent in mind for a grand first fight in the UFC.
“My dream debut would be against Josh Emmett. He’s a great puncher. It would be a great fight and I know I can outwork him.”
Read more: Shem Rock Exclusive: Crazy Story Of Wanted Fugitive Turned European MMA Star
