OKTAGON touch down in Germany for the second time in as many weeks this Saturday, returning to the city of Hannover. Zag Arena, which is sold out with over 11,000 fans in attendance, will witness one of the best fights in European MMA this year at OKTAGON 97 as a spotlight is shone on talent from the region and two pairs of brothers also compete on the same show. The event can be purchased on the promotion’s global platform, OKTAGON.TV, or streamed on DAZN.
Igor Severino (10-1, 1NC) defends his bantamweight championship in the main event opposite undefeated star, Max Holzer (12-0), as part of an absolutely mouth-watering contest. The Brazilian received headlines globally when he was controversially cut from the UFC due to a biting incident, but he has rebuilt his career since arriving in OKTAGON last year. Severino won the belt after blasting through Khurshed Kakhorov in March, sealing his ninth career win by stoppage, and he was beating Zhalgas Zhumagulov in their superfight during the summer until the bout ended in a no contest. The 23-year-old is hungry to knock his adversary from the ranks of the unbeaten this Saturday and promises to do so in devastating fashion.
Holzer is one of the best prospects in Europe and is 6-0 in the promotion since debuting in January 2024. ‘Stifler’ has finished the likes of Corey Fry, Deniz Ilbay and most recently, blasted out Khalid Taha on the feet in just over three minutes which sent true shockwaves through the continent. At home in Hannover this Saturday, he drops down to the bantamweight division where he believes he’ll be even more dominant and intends on dispatching his most dangerous opponent to date. If Holzer can lift championship gold while maintaining his undefeated record in front of a partisan crowd, his stardom will skyrocket to new heights.
In the featherweight co-headliner, former title challenger, Gjoni Palokaj (13-4), locks horns with Zafar Mohsen (15-4, 1NC), who is riding a five-fight winning streak. Palokaj trains out of Fight School Hannover so will have the crowd on his side, but Mohsen knows this is his opportunity to stake a claim at being the next contender. Furthermore, Ozan Aslaner (11-6-1), looks for his biggest win in the organisation when he takes on entertaining Irishman, Denis Frimpong (8-4), at a catchweight of 72kg/159lbs.
Elsewhere on the card, young prospect, Justin Detzel (3-0), squares off with talented kickboxer, Kacper Frątczak (3-0), at middleweight. OKTAGON Challenge alum, Karol Ryšavý (15-10-1), faces Muay Thai striker, Samuel Bark (13-4), in a featherweight matchup and UFC veteran, Josefine Knutsson (8-2), meets promotional newcomer, Yasmin Guimarães (10-4), at strawweight.
