Over 13,000 fans are expected to pack Barclays Arena in Hamburg this Saturday for OKTAGON 85.. The bantamweight division will finally crown a champion in the evening’s headliner, and a European MMA superstar also makes his return.
One of the highest quality bouts the promotion will stage this year takes place in the main event as controversial Brazilian, Igor Severino (9-1), collides with PFL Europe tournament victor, Khurshed Kakhorov (13-1), for the vacant bantamweight title.
Severino was famously released from the UFC a couple of years ago, but he used the surrounding negativity as a learning experience before defeating former champion, Jonas Mågård, in his debut for OKTAGON. Kakhorov, has overcome the likes of Ali Taleb and Frans Mlambo during his fourteen-fight career, with nine of those bouts finishing by knockout. After being originally scheduled to face off last October, the exciting pair test their skills against one another this weekend in an absolute barnburner. Will it be the ultimate redemption story for Severino or can Kakhorov send shockwaves through the division?
In the co-headliner, German MMA superstar, Christian Eckerlin (17-8, 1NC), is determined to get back to winning ways when he clashes with Muay Thai expert, Matouš Kohout (12-9), in an 80kg/176lbs catchweight showdown. ‘The King of Germany’ has had a disappointing last twelve months but two defeats have lit a fire inside of him and he is intent on repaying his adoring fans with a spectacular display in what is certain to be an electric atmosphere inside Barclays Arena. However, Kohout is aware of the opportunity in front of him to claim his most notorious scalp yet and knows he will be skyrocketed up the rankings if he can silence Hamburg. This is an absolutely pivotal bout in the career of both men!
Complete OKTAGON 85 card
MAIN CARD
Main Event - Vacant Bantamweight Title: Igor Severino (9-1) vs. Khurshed Kakhorov (13-1)
Co-Main Event - Catchweight (80kg/176lbs): Christian Eckerlin (17-8, 1NC) vs. Matouš Kohout (12-9)
Catchweight (69kg/152lbs): Deniz Ilbay (8-3) vs. Adrian Hamerski (4-2)
Bantamweight: Raul Lemberanskij (8-0) vs. Ali Gündüz (6-0)
Heavyweight: Ruben Wolf (12-13) vs. Olutobi Ayodeji Kalejaiye (9-9)
Welterweight: Marek Bartl (16-15) vs. Tyrone Pfeifer (6-1)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Catchweight (59kg/130lbs): Mohammed Walid (8-5) vs. Abdullah Sultani (4-2)
Catchweight (73kg/161lbs): Denis Frimpong (7-3) vs. Tomáš Cigánik (7-3)
Catchweight (59kg/130lbs): Veronika Smolková (8-3) vs. Stephanie Egger (8-5)
Flyweight: Shawn Marcos da Silva (7-1) vs. Matheus Severino (14-5)
Welterweight: Michael Obodozie (Pro Debut) vs. Sebastian Horvath (Pro Debut)
