One of the best fights that can be made in European MMA finally has a date.
Top prospect on the continent, Max Holzer (11-0), will lock horns with UFC veteran, Khalid Taha (16-5, 1NC), in a highly anticipated featherweight battle at OKTAGON 88. The pair were originally scheduled to meet last September but Holzer had to withdraw due to medical reasons. Zag Arena in Hannover, Germany (Holzer's hometown), provides the stage on Saturday, May 16, for them to put their heated rivalry to rest.
Since joining the promotion roughly two years ago, Holzer has maintained a perfect record, winning all five of his bouts and rapidly rising to No. 3 in the rankings. He has ended four of those fights inside the distance, most notably defeating Deniz Ilbay in a bout that sparked debate after an intense exchange following the final bell. Known as “Stifler,” he’s attracted a large following thanks to his flamboyant entrances and engaging character, and a victory over Taha in a few months would elevate his profile even further.
Fighting out of Lebanon, Taha brings experience from major stages like the UFC and RIZIN, where he’s faced opponents such as Boston Salmon and Raoni Barcelos. After joining OKTAGON, he made an immediate impact by stopping both Jose Zarauz and Edgar Delgado by knockout, boosting his finish rate to an impressive 88%. Since signing, he’s made no secret of targeting Holzer and is intent on handing him his first loss when they meet on May 16.
Elsewhere on the card, Mago Machaev defends his featherweight title for the first time against Holzer's teammate, Gjoni Palokaj, and Jarno Errens makes his promotional debut opposite French veteran, Damien Lapilus. The man known as 'The German Tarzan', Hugo Vach, also takes on the entertaining, Teo Smith.
