One of the biggest bouts in European MMA this year, which sees champion go against champion, takes place in Bratislava.
Igor Severino (10-1) will put his bantamweight belt on the line opposite flyweight king, Zhalgas Zhumagulov (19-9), who is moving up a division in search of becoming a simultaneous two-weight title holder. This eagerly anticipated battle, one of the highest quality contests in promotional history, takes place at OKTAGON 89 on Saturday, June 6, during the Slovakian leg of our ten-year anniversary celebrations.
Severino made viral headlines back in 2024 when he was released from the UFC for biting his opponent. However, he then signed for OKTAGON under the nickname of ‘Hannibal Lecter’ and defeated former champion, Jonas Mågård, in his debut for the organisation. Last month, he knocked out PFL Europe tournament winner, Khurshed Kakhorov, in devastating fashion to claim the title and at just 22-years-old, the Brazilian (who stated he is intent on becoming the pound for pound number one) hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential.
Zhumagulov has shared the cage with the likes of Amir Albazi and Manel Kape over his twenty-eight fight career and even went to a very close split decision with current UFC champion, Joshua Van. The Kazakh star won the OKTAGON flyweight strap last year and defended it in December when he finished David Dvořák at the end of round three, looking unstoppable since he arrived in the promotion. Zhumagulov has made it known that he only wants the very toughest tests available and that is certainly what he will face in Bratislava when he steps up to bantamweight in search of making history.
Elsewhere on the card, Lazar Todev and Martin Buday will throw down in a very important showdown for the heavyweight division and Robert Pukač looks to defend home soil from the oncoming charge of Irish brawler, Brian Manning. Fan favourites, Ronald Paradeiser, Marek Mazúch and Radovan Úškrt will also compete against yet to be announced opponents.
