German MMA legend Daniel Weichel is stepping back into the spotlight—and he’s doing it on home turf.
On Saturday, September 20, the veteran fighter returns to action for the first time in two years when he takes on France’s Abou Tounkara in a lightweight showdown at OKTAGON 76, hosted at the historic Festhalle Frankfurt.
Widely considered one of Frankfurt’s most accomplished MMA exports, Weichel (42-15) built a global reputation during his nearly decade-long run with Bellator. There, he captured a featherweight tournament title and earned wins over top names like Pat Curran, Saul Rogers, and Robert Whiteford. Twice, he came within striking distance of the Bellator title in his battles against Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. Now, with the roar of the hometown crowd behind him, Weichel is determined to prove he’s still a serious contender.
His opponent, Abou Tounkara (12-6), enters the matchup with momentum and ambition. After a competitive OKTAGON debut against European standout Ivan Buchinger in 2023, Tounkara racked up three straight stoppage victories outside the promotion—all inside two rounds. With a return to OKTAGON now in focus, the French striker has his sights set on making a major statement at Weichel’s expense.
OKTAGON 76 will also feature the highly anticipated return of viral phenom Frederic Vosgröne, as well as a heated clash between Denis Frimpong and Peter Gabal. Rounding out the card are appearances from Alan Omer, Hafeni Nafuka, Alina Dalaslan, and Tamerlan Dulatov, promising a stacked lineup and an electric atmosphere in Frankfurt.
