Fighters Only : Oktagon 50: Lightweight title rematch added as Paradeiser and Buchinger run it back in Ostrava

Simon Head

Oct 18, 2023

Two of Oktagon MMA's most exciting lightweights go head to head for the second time in a lightweight title rematch as the promotion's 155-pound belt is up for grabs at Oktagon 50.

The event, which takes place December 9 at the Ostravar Arena in Ostrava, Czech Republic, already features a featherweight title clash, as Losene Keita returns from injury to face Niko Samsonidse for the vacant featherweight title.

Now, a second championship matchup has been confirmed, with the current No. 1 lightweight contender Ronald Paradeiser set to take on old foe, former champion and No. 2-ranked contender, Ivan Buchinger for the newly-vacated title.

Oktagon MMA officials confirmed to Fighters Only that the 155-pound title, previously held by Keita, has been vacated, with the Belgian having been unable to defend the belt for a period of 12 months. The move allows the lightweight division to move on, and the division's top two ranked contenders will face off in a rematch nearly three years in the making.

Paradeiser and Buchinger faced off for the 155-pound title in the main event of Oktagon 21 in Brno in January 2021, with Buchinger claiming the victory via first-round rear-naked choke.

"Buki" went on to add the featherweight title to his resume as he quickly became one of the promotion's top stars. Now, at the age of 37, Buchinger – who also held the lightweight title during his earlier run in Cage Warriors – has his sights set on gold once again.

Standing between him and a second reign as Oktagon lightweight champion is the man he defeated to win the belt the first time around. Paradeiser's crowd-pleasing fighting style has made him must-see TV in his recent appearances and a four-fight win streak, including a hat-trick of TKO finishes in his last three outings, has catapulted him to the top of the promotion's lightweight rankings.

Now Paradeiser will face his old nemesis with championship gold on the line. Will it be repeat or revenge as the two Slovakian stars go head to head again?