OKTAGON MMA in 2025: Breakouts, Biggest Fights and Standout Performances

OKTAGON MMA 2025

New contenders emerged, established names were tested, and OKTAGON MMA continued to prove itself as Europe’s most exciting promotions in 2025. 

Tobias Lindkvist of Frontkick recaps the OKTAGON highlights of 2025!

Alina Dalaslan bursts onto the scene

OKTAGON MMA 2025. Photo via OTKAGON MMA

It’s hard to talk about OKTAGON MMA in 2025 without beginning with Alina Dalaslan.

The young German went from unknown debutant to one of the promotion’s brightest shining stars in just months. With four wins, three via stoppage, Dalaslan has established herself as the most exciting female MMA fighter in Europe in 2025.

The 25-year-old will return in January with her fifth OKTAGON bout in less than 12 months.

”2025 has been a very intense and important year for me,” Dalaslan told Frontkick. ”I’ve grown a lot, not just as a fighter, but as a person. This has been my first year as a professional fighter, and it’s been a huge step for me. After my second fight in Prague, I decided to go all in. I quit my full-time job and fully dedicated myself to this sport.”

Henrique Madureira’s submission

OKTAGON MMA 2025. Photo via OKTAGON MMA

Henrique Madureira served up pure MMA candy during OKTAGON 80 when he stopped Eriglent Prizreni in the first round.

Madureira wrapped his legs around Prizreni’s neck from behind, while both fighters were still standing. He then somehow managed to lock in the insane choke properly and leaned backward to drag Prizreni down to the canvas, forcing him to tap out.

The submission of the year goes to Henrique Madureira!

The end of an era at OKTAGON 72

OKTAGON MMA 2025. Photo via Instagram (@karlos_terminator_vemola)

We cannot look back at 2025 without mentioning OKTAGON 72. It was the biggest card of the year, headlined by the final fight of one of the greatest rivalries in European MMA.

After five rounds, the crowd at the outdoor event exploded as Karlos Vémola finally defeated Attila Végh via unanimous decision.

The fight at Eden wasn’t only the third battle between the legendary MMA veterans, it was an end to an era in European MMA as Vémola retired from the sport after the win.

The Swedish takeover

OKTAGON MMA 2025. Photo: OKTAGON MMA

This fall, Liam Pitts and Samuel Bark really showed that the Swede’s are in OKTAGON to take over.

Pitts lived up to the hype in his promotional debut as he stopped Stephan Guidea via rear-naked-choke in the first round, getting all kinds of praises from the commentators. On the same card, Bark stepped up and delivered one of his most impressive performances to date as he stopped the promotion’s former champion Mate Sanikidze with a late submission.

Going into 2026, no fewer than five fighters are on the OKTAGON roster. Besides Pitts, Bark and Andreas Ståhl, both Zoran Milic and Najib Adams will make their debuts in Europe’s leading MMA promotion.

Will Fleury reaching double champ status

OKTAGON MMA 2025. Photo via OKTAGON MMA

Ireland’s Will Fleury reached double champion status with this impressive win against Lazar Todev in the heavyweight title clash in March. Less than three months prior, he defeated Karlos Vemola to become the light heavyweight champ.

Since August 2024, the Irishman delivered four wins in OKTAGON MMA, firmly establishing himself as one of Europe’s elite heavyweights.

On Saturday he will defend his heavyweight belt against against Martin Buday in the last event of the year.

Stars moved on and new stars were born

OKTAGON MMA 2025. Foto via Instagram

During 2025, two of OKTAGON’s biggest stars, Shem Rock and Losene Keita, made the move to the UFC.

Rock made his highly anticipated UFC debut in November but lost a thrilling bout to Nurullo Aliev. Keita’s planned UFC debut in September ended in disappointment when the former OKTAGON champion missed weight, forcing the fight against Patricio Pitbull to be scrapped.

However, with names like Alina Dalaslan, Frederic Vosgröne and Max Holzer a new generation of stars has already emerged.

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