Fotboll
MMA Special: Get to know the OKTAGON champions going into 2025!
OKTAGON champions. Photo via OKTAGON MMA
Renowned for its world-class production, awesome fights, and passionate fanbase, OKTAGON MMA has cemented its reputation as Europe’s premier mixed martial arts promotion.
As we step into 2025, let’s dive into a closer look at the reigning champions of OKTAGON MMA!
Women’s Strawweight: Mallory Martin
Mallory Martin. Photo via OKTAGON MMA
- Age: 30
- Nationality: American
- Record: 10-6
- Title win: October 12, 2024, against Katharina Dalisda
- Title defenses: 0
Mallory Martin earned her shot at the strawweight title after securing two consecutive victories in the promotion. After five rounds of action against Katharina Dalisda she got her hand raised and claimed the OKTAGON strawweight championship.
Before winning the OKTAGON title, the American fought in the UFC and Invicta Fighting Championships.
Women’s Flyweight: VACANT
Aitana Alvarez. Photo via OKTAGON MMA
The women’s flyweight title is currently vacant but we will hopefully see a champion crowned in 2025. Here’s the top ranked fighters in the division:
- Veronika Smolková
- Mileide Simplicio
- Aitana Álvarez
- Jovana Đukić
Women’s Bantamweight: Cecilie Bolander
Cecilie Bolander. Photo via OKTAGON MMA
- Age: 28
- Nationality: Norwegian
- Record: 4-1
- Title win: December 29, 2024, against Lucie Pudilova
- Title defenses: 0
At OKTAGON MMA’s final event of 2025, Norway’s Cecilie Bolander got a second shot at rival Lucie Pudilova following their razor-close fight earlier this year.
Once again the 28-year-old proved that she belongs in the absolute top of European MMA as she got her hand raised after five hard-fought rounds.
Flyweight: Sam Creasey
Sam Creasy. Photo via Instagram (@samcreasey)
- Age: 36
- Nationality: British
- Record 19-6
- Title win: April 20, 2024, against Aaron Aby
- Title defenses: 0
Two-time Cage Warriors champion Sam Creasy won the OKTAGON strap by defeating Aaron Aby.
He’s set to defend his title for the first time on February 22 against Beno Adamia.
Featherweight: Losene Keita
Losene Keita. Photo via Instagram (@keitaplusser)
- Age: 27
- Nationality: Belgian
- Record: 16-1
- Title win: December 9, 2023, against Niko Samsonidze
- Title defenses: 0
After winning the lightweight title back in June 2022, Losene Keita dropped down to featherweight with the intention to become a double champ.
He stopped Niko Samsonidze to capture the featherweight title at Oktagon 50.
Lightweight: Losene Keita
OKTAGON champions. Photo via OKTAGON MMA
- Age: 27
- Nationality: Belgian
- Record: 16-1
- Title win: December 29, 2024, against Ronald Paradeiser
- Title defenses: 0
Losene Keita crowned the year by winning back his lightweight strap against Ronald Paradeiser in the OKTAGON lightweight tournament.
During 2024, the ”Black Panther” won four straight bouts at lightweight, showing that he’s the hottest fighter in the promotion.
Welterweight: Ion Surdu
OKTAGON champions. Photo via OKTAGON MMA
- Age: 29
- Nationality: Moldovan
- Record: 16-6
- Title win: December 7, 2024, against Kaik Brito
- Title defenses: 0
Ion ”Dracula” Surdu of Moldova has built a reputation for breaking down his opponents with relentless pressure in the opening round. In his recent title fight against Kaik Brito, he showed exactly how dangerous he is when he knocked his opponent out with a head kick early in the match.
At OKTAGON 70 in April, he will defend the belt for the first time when he takes on UFC veteran Krzysztof Jotko.
Middleweight: Kerim Engizek
OKTAGON champions. Photo via Instagram
- Age: 33
- Nationality: German
- Record: 21-4
- Title win: October 12, 2024, against Patrik Kincl
- Title defenses: 0
Kerim Engizek is riding a winning streak that dates back a decade. He made his OKTAGON debut in 2023 and after two straight first-round KO’s he got a title shot against Patrik Kincl.
Engizek got the job done against the legendary fighter and can now call himself the best middleweight in the promotion.
Light Heavyweight: Will Fleury
OKTAGON champions. Photo via OKTAGON MMA
- Age: 35
- Nationality: Irish
- Record: 14-3
- Title win: December 29, 2024, against Karlos Vemola
- Title defenses: 0
After securing back-to-back victories in OKTAGON throughout 2024, Ireland’s Will Fleury earned a title shot against seasoned veteran Karlos Vémola.
Fleury put on a great performance, hitting Vemola with everything but the kitchen sink, and after the final bell he stood as the winner via unanimous decision.
Heavyweight: VACANT
Lazar Todev. Photo via Instagram (@todevlazar)
The heavyweight title is currently vacant but we will hopefully see a champion crowned in 2025. Here’s the top ranked fighters in the division:
- Lazar Todev
- Adam Pałasz
- Patrick Vespaziani
- Sebastian Herzberg
- Tadej Dajčman
- Ruben Wolf
- Sofiane Boukichou
- Wallyson Carvalho
- Kerisson Rezende