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OKTAGON 34 | Vémola and Ilić headline in showdown for the vacant light heavyweight title

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OKTAGON 34 emanates from Prague, Czech Republic on Saturday 23rd July and promises to be an event like no other this summer. Taking place in a spectacular outdoor tennis stadium under the night’s sky, a capacity crowd will provide an electric atmosphere for the most eye-catching show of the year. A host of popular fighters will be competing in the open air, looking to continue their own stories in some fascinating matchups.

‘The Terminator’ has acquired a new target and he will be descending upon Štvanice hunting ‘The Joker’ in a huge European clash.

Czech MMA superstar, Karlos Vémola, intends to further his legacy by winning an OKTAGON MMA title in a second weight division when he takes on European standout, Aleksandar Ilić, for the vacant light heavyweight title in the evening’s main event.Vémola was originally scheduled to face Rafael Xavier but the Brazilian withdrew from the bout.

Vémola (32-6) is a pioneer of the sport in his home country and ‘The Terminator’ attracts huge crowds whenever he competes. The former OKTAGON MMA middleweight champion, who never lost his title inside the cage, returned to competition after a lengthy injury last month to defeat Michał Pasternak in the first round. Following that bout, the other ‘Terminator’ in the promotion, Stephan Puetz, who is also hungry for the light heavyweight title, made it known he is eying a future fight with Vémola to decide who the true ‘Terminator’ in the organisation is. Vémola must put this heightening feud on hold for the time being and is determined to look as dominant as ever when he welcomes another big personality to OKTAGON MMA.

Ilić (13-4) is a KSW veteran, best known for his stunning, highlight-reel knockout over Olympic bronze medallist in wrestling, Damian Janikowski, so he has history when it comes to upsetting grappling specialists. ‘The Joker’ has finished 9 of his 13 victories by TKO/KO and carries significant power in all limbs. He is the most dangerous threat Vémola has faced in recent years and is extremely confident he will earn the biggest win of his career. Who will become the king of the light heavyweight division? ‘The Terminator’ or ‘The Joker’?

The co-main event sees former OKTAGON MMA lightweight champion, Mateusz Legierski (7-1), return to the promotion in an important battle for the weight class. ‘Dynamit’ has never been defeated in the organisation and hopes that continues when he faces fan-favourite, Matouš Kohout (7-4). The man known as ‘Mighty Rooster’ has won his last three bouts, but Legierski represents a step up in competition. Could a contender for newly crowned lightweight champion, Losene Keita, emerge from this contest?

Elsewhere on the card, previous welterweight title challenger, Máté Kertész (11-5, 1NC), who has been training at AKA, takes on Vladislav Kanchev (12-6-2) in an exciting bout. Former Glory kickboxer, Daniel Škvor (3-1), wants to make it four wins in a row when he returns to action at 205lbs and #1 ranked Czech bantamweight, Filip Macek (26-16-1), aims to continue his quest back to the top of the division.

OKTAGON 34 will be broadcast live around the world on OKTAGON.TV.

Current OKTAGON 34 Fight Card
July 23rd – Štvanice, Prague
 
Main Event
Vacant OKTAGON MMA Light Heavyweight Title
Karlos Vémola (32-6) vs. Aleksandar Ilić (13-4)
 
Co-Main Event
Lightweight
Mateusz Legierski (7-1) vs. Matouš Kohout (7-4)
 
Welterweight
Máté Kertész (11-5, 1NC) vs. Vladislav Kanchev (12-6-2)
 
Featherweight
Dawid Kareta (4-2) vs. Roman Paulus (8-1)
 
Lightweight
Jan Široký (11-13, 1NC) vs. Tomáš Fiala (7-5, 1NC)
 
Light Heavyweight
Daniel Škvor (3-1) vs. Panagiotis Stroumpoulis (14-7)
 
Featherweight
David Moon (9-5) vs. Michal Konrád (8-8)
 
Middleweight
Michal Kotalík (6-4) vs. Ole Magnor (6-6)
 
Bantamweight
Filip Macek (26-16-1) vs. Mikael Silander (20-9)
 
Bantamweight
Cornelia Holm (4-4) vs. Róża Gumienna (4-2)
 
Welterweight
Václav Holota (6-1) vs. Max Handanagić (8-5-1)
 
Lightweight
Simeon Kapuya (2-0) vs. Martin Pipek (Pro Debut)

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Paul Hughes Gets New Opponent as Oduwole Out

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Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – have today announced a change in the scheduled opponent for Irish superstar Paul Hughes at Cage Warriors 170. 

An injury occurring just days after he signed to fight Hughes has forced Yemi Oduwole out of the contest. 

The promotion wishes him a speedy return to full health. 

CW officials have moved quickly to secure a suitable replacement, today confirming that Hughes will remain on the Saturday, April 6th bill, now facing off with Edgar ‘Smooth’ Escarrega. 

The bout will feature on the main card of CW 170 at Dublin’s iconic RDS, and air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners. 

The 29-year-old Escarrega, who hails from the port city of Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico, brings an impressive 12-3-1 record to the contest. 

The Victory Fight Club man – who is a striker by trade – is unbeaten in his last six contests, and from twelve victories has a total of five KOs, two submissions and five points wins to his name. 

“From Mexico to the world, here I come!” said Escarrega, when signing on the dotted line for what is undoubtedly the biggest opportunity of his professional career. 

Hughes, from County Derry, is widely considered to be on the cusp of signing with the UFC following a series of impressive performances in the famous yellow gloves of Cage Warriors. 

‘Big News’ recently vacated his featherweight title, moving up to the 155lb division to stop top contender Jan Quaeyhaegens in the first round. 

Also scheduled for the CW 170 card, Dublin’s James ‘Jimbo Slice’ Sheehan contests the vacant welterweight title with Switzerland’s Daniel Konrad, with Ger Harris, Solomon Simon, Decky McAleenan, Taka Mhandu and more set to feature. 

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“I Should Get The Shot” – Jacob Smith Wants World Title Fight If He Bests Denis Puric At ONE Fight Night 21

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Fiery flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith enjoyed a triumphant return to ONE Championship last December at ONE Fight Night 17 after 18 months on the sidelines. 

The Scouse striker knocked out Walter Goncalves to gain momentum in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and he plans to add to it next month.

Smith returns to action against Bosnian-Canadian powerhouse Denis Puric at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Saturday, 6th April, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. 

Fans anticipate a thunderous clash, as they are both known to finish fights. Smith feels he knows what to expect from Puric, and he plans to give him an unwelcome gift for his birthday. 

“I’m either going to stop him with the knee or stop him with an elbow. I feel like the first round is going to be quite fiery. But if he decides to rush me too early, he’s going to walk into some big shots, so I could just finish him in round one,” he said. 

“But I’m sure I’m fighting him on his 39th birthday. So, unfortunately, my birthday present is going to be me knocking him out.”

When Jacob Smith debuted in ONE Championship at May 2022’s ONE 157, he battled ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon across three rounds of hard-hitting action. 

He came up short that night via unanimous decision, and a series of injuries forced him to take time away from action afterward. But that gap seemed to have allowed him level up his skill set. 

Smith came back stronger than ever, and his first-round finish of Goncalves last December pegged him as one to watch. The #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender is hoping to score back-to-back wins against Puric next month, and he knows exactly what he wants if he’s successful.

“My goal is to be ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, and fingers crossed by the end of the year that comes through,” Smith said. 

“Rodtang is the champion, and Superlek is number one. After beating Walter, I’m now number two. Rodtang and Superlek are probably going fight each other again soon. Then I should get the shot at the winner after I beat Puric.”

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UFC Vegas 89 – Results | Ribas vs Namajunas

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Live from the Apex, UFC Vegas 89 saw former strawweight Rose Namajunas make her second appearance at flyweight against contender Amanda Ribas.

Note: any point deductions will be denoted by an asterisk and explained at the bottom of the page.

***

Main card (2am GMT – TNT Sports)

Rose Namajunas defeats (#8) Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) – flyweight bout

Karl Williams defeats Justin Tafa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout

Edmen Shahbazyan defeats AJ Dobson via knockout (punches – 4:43 – R1) – middleweight bout

Payton Talbott defeats Cameron Saaiman via TKO (punches – 0:21 – R2) – bantamweight bout

Youssef Zalal defeats Billy Quarantillo via submission (rear-naked-choke – 1:50 – R2) – featherweight bout

Fernando Padilla defeats Luis Pajuelo via submission (brabo choke – 2:45 – R1) – featherweight bout

Prelims (11pm GMT – TNT Sports/UFC Fight Pass)

Trey Ogden defeats Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – lightweight bout

Julian Erosa defeats Ricardo Ramos via submission (guillotine – 2:15 – R1) – featherweights bout

Miles John defeats Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – bantamweight bout

Jarno Errens defeats Steve Nguyen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – featherweight bout

Darya Zheleznyakova defeats Monsterrat Rendon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – bantamweight bout

Andre Lima defeats Igor Severino via disqualification (biting – 2:52 – R2) – flyweight bout

Mick Parkin defeats Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout

***

For more UFC content, stay tuned to Violent Money TV.

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