Over 11,000 fans will pack ZAG Arena this Saturday as OKTAGON makes its first-ever stop in Hannover with OKTAGON 75. Tickets for the event vanished quickly, and the raucous crowd is expected to create a fiery atmosphere as a mix of German standouts, rising prospects, and seasoned UFC veterans hit the cage.
Headlining the card, hometown featherweight contender Gjoni Palokaj (11-3) looks to notch his seventh straight victory in front of family and friends. Originally scheduled to corner close friend Max Holzer—who was forced out by injury—Palokaj now steps into the spotlight himself for the biggest fight of his career. He’ll meet 22-year-old Jakub Batfalský (8-1), the youngest Czech fighter ever to headline an OKTAGON card. A win for Batfalský would silence the hometown crowd and catapult him into the featherweight title mix.
The co-main event features a heavyweight showdown between Bulgarian powerhouse Lazar Todev (11-7) and slick Brazilian grappler Luis Barbosa (16-9, 1NC). Todev came up just short in his bid for gold against Will Fleury in March but remains determined to climb back into contention. Barbosa, making his promotional debut, sees this as a chance to shake up the division by toppling a two-time title challenger.
Local favorite Mohammed Walid (8-4) also returns, facing former UFC flyweight David Dvořák (21-6). Walid impressed in his debut earlier this year with a decision win over Aaron Aby, while “The Undertaker” Dvořák brings experience from battles with elite names like Manel Kape and Steve Erceg. A victory could put either man on a collision course with reigning flyweight champion Zhalgas Zhumagulov.
Rounding out the main card, South American standout Edgar Delgado Jimenez (15-7) meets dangerous striker Khalid Taha (15-5, 1NC) at featherweight, while Austrian sensation Mago Machaev (15-2, 1NC) faces action-packed Brazilian Wanderley Junior (18-10) in another explosive 145-pound clash.
Main Card
- Main Event — Featherweight Gjoni Palokaj (11–3) vs. Jakub Batfalský (8–1)
- Co-Main Event — Heavyweight Lazar Todev (11–7) vs. Luis Barbosa (16–9, 1NC)
- Flyweight Mohammed Walid (8–4) vs. David Dvořák (21–6)
- Featherweight Edgar Delgado Jimenez (15–7) vs. Khalid Taha (15–5, 1NC)
- Light Heavyweight Mateusz Strzelczyk (15–14–1, 1NC) vs. Emilio Quissua (6–0)
Preliminary Card
- Featherweight Mago Machaev (15–2, 1NC) vs. Wanderley Junior (18–10)
- Featherweight Hugo Vach (5–1) vs. Abdullah Sultani (4–2)
- Welterweight Emir-Can Al (2–1) vs. Lukáš Eliáš (4–1)
- Featherweight Nikolaos Serbezis (8–4) vs. Henrique Madureira (7–7)
- Catchweight (176 lbs / 80 kg) Finn Griessmann (1–2) vs. Jixie Molapo (0–1)
