MMA News

Tag: oktagon

  • Exclusive | “Punches, Kicks, Knees, Elbows”: Samuel Bark Ready to Display Muay Thai at Oktagon 79

    Exclusive | “Punches, Kicks, Knees, Elbows”: Samuel Bark Ready to Display Muay Thai at Oktagon 79

    Swedish MMA fighter Samuel Bark enters his featherweight bout against Mate Sanikidze at Oktagon 79 with clear intentions: a convincing performance that positions him for a title shot while allowing him to showcase the Muay Thai techniques that define his fighting approach.

    Samuel Bark Plans Pressure and Power at Oktagon 79, Eyes Title Shot After Sanikidze Test

    Bark carries a 12-2 record into the contest, sitting at number six in the Oktagon featherweight rankings. The matchup takes place November 1st at Winning Group Arena in Brno, Czech Republic, forming part of the promotion’s milestone 1,000th fight celebration.

    Bark’s fighting background provides context for his competitive approach. The Swedish fighter spent years competing in Thailand’s professional Muay Thai circuit, accumulating over 70 fights before transitioning to MMA. He earned the nickname “Sammon Decker” from his coach Sangtiennoi, who had a trilogy against legendary Dutch striker Ramon Dekker.

    After establishing himself domestically in Sweden through multiple promotions, Bark moved into broader European competition with Cage Warriors and UAE Warriors, where he defeated former UFC fighter Ali Al Qaisi to capture the UAE Warriors featherweight title in May 2024.​

    Following his May 2024 championship victory in Abu Dhabi, Bark returned to action at Allstars Fight Night 10 in June 2025, competing for the AFN belt against Danish fighter Frederik Strauss. The competitive landscape at featherweight in Oktagon remains unsettled, with the champion position currently vacant as of October 2025. Victories against ranked opponents like Sanikidze would solidify Bark’s standing among the division’s elite and strengthen his case for a title fight.​

    On his fighting philosophy against Sanikidze, Bark stated his intent clearly, in an exclusive interview with Tim Wheaton of MMA News, he said:

    “I want to display some Muay Thai, you know how they walk their opponent down with pressure. So like a lot of pressure, a lot of power. Punches, kicks, knees, elbows. I’m not sure. It depends on how much he walks back and runs away, you know.”

    Bark’s professional activity level has been notable throughout his MMA career. Between December 2021 and May 2024, he accumulated 10 professional bouts while working to develop his striking-based approach within the MMA ruleset.

    The Oktagon 79 event itself carries significance beyond this individual featherweight matchup. The show features reigning welterweight champion Ion Surdu defending his title against Andrej Kalašnik in the main event.

    For Bark, victory on November 1st would represent another step toward his stated objectives of securing a title shot within Oktagon. His ability to implement his pressure-based Muay Thai game plan against Sanikidze will determine whether he achieves the statement victory he seeks.

  • Martin Buday lands big Oktagon MMA title bout vs. Will Fleury to close out 2025

    Martin Buday lands big Oktagon MMA title bout vs. Will Fleury to close out 2025

    Martin Buday looks to capture the belt he never lost when he enters the O2 Arena in Prague on the heels of the Christmas holidays.
    Reigning Oktagon MMA heavyweight champion Will Fleury will look to be an immovable object for Buday as the Irish combatant embarks on his first title defense. This Fleury vs. Buday championship clash transpires at OKTAGON 81 on Sunday, December 28th.

    Fleury has made big waves in Oktagon MMA since his April 2024 debut there and the SBG Ireland combatant has halted Daniel Škvor and Pavol Langer. Fleur would capture Oktagon’s light heavyweight championship against Karlos Vémola during their last December and looks to enjoy a big championship victory this December. He would ascend to the status of double champion by besting Lazar Todev in March of this year and now looks to defeat the former Oktagon MMA heavyweight champion who never lost his belt inside the cage.

    Martin Buday’s return to the Oktagon MMA crown he once held

    Martin Buday was shocking released from the UFC earlier this year after authoring a victory in his last UFC fight and having a demonstrably successful winning record in the promotion. He received his walking papers as a top 15 ranked contender with Buday putting together a UFC specific record of 7-1.

    ‘Badys’ secured wins during his UFC tenure over names like former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski, Chris Barnett, and Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida. Buday trains out of that Team Aspinall camp which obviously features the UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall as the titular figure of the team but the group also includes the likes of KSW heavyweight champ Phil De Fries.

    This massive heavyweight title bolsters an OKTAGON 81 lineup which features many tantalizing matchups including a flyweight championship showdown as Zhalgas Zhumagulov clashes with David Dvořák. Also, Patrik Kincl versus Robert Pukač are set to sort out their bad blood while a Kaik Brito versus Amiran Gogoladze clash has already been announced for the year end card as well.

  • Exclusive | Mark Hulme Eyes Future Gold at Oktagon 74: “I’m Getting in There to Do Damage”

    Exclusive | Mark Hulme Eyes Future Gold at Oktagon 74: “I’m Getting in There to Do Damage”

    Mark Hulme enters the quarterfinals of the Tipsport Gamechanger Middleweight Tournament this weekend at Oktagon 74 with the intensity and humor that have defined his fighting career. As Hulme faces Czech athlete Dominik Humburger in Prague on August 9, he approaches the contest as the next high-stakes chapter in a journey marked by an unapologetic fighting ethos.

    Mark Hulme

    The South African welterweight is candid about what draws him to the brutality of MMA and the moments that follow. “A fight is like, obviously there’s consequences,” Mark Hulme says. “Everything I do builds up to that fight. I get to a point where I can’t even listen to people talking sh* because they’re interrupting my time to think about the fight.”

    With a string of finishes and several notable submissions, he earned his spot in the quarterfinals after dispatching former Oktagon finalist Andreas Michailidis in under two minutes earlier this year. When asked whether he’s chasing a knockout or a submission against Humburger, Hulme is pragmatic. “I didn’t shoot for no takedown on Andreas. I just did what any sane fighter would do. When he was on his back, I jumped on him and I tried to knock his fucking head off, bro. Pretty much the same for Dominic Humburger.”

    The South African’s fighting attitude is a trait that was on full display as he reflected on his celebration rituals in the cage. “Sometimes I just get too affectionate,” he jokes, recalling the post-fight camaraderie. “I’m so overwhelmed with joy that the fight is over that, you know, sometimes I f*ing kiss my opponent. Like, thank you for dancing with me. I understand what your intentions were. My intentions were bad as well, but we’re good now, bro.”

    Hulme, who trains alongside UFC star Dricus Du Plessis, routine outside the cage is driven. After landing in Prague, he and his team immediately tracked down a gym and put in a session before settling into their temporary accommodation. “We landed at 8:30, dropped our luggage off at 9, walked 3K to the gym, put in a solid hour, 20, hour 30. Recouped, juices just flowing. Walked back, found a spot to eat, then chilled at the Airbnb. Living a good life, man.”

    For Hulme, fighting is stripped of artifice. “People write the sport for the simplicity of it. I’m getting in there to do damage. I almost like it more when there’s no trash talk… I’m honored to fight Dominik Humburger. Anything I’ve said about him is absolutely true, but I’m not gonna – no, I love my opponent.”

    As for the lucrative prize money at stake in the Gamechanger tournament? Mark Hulme laughs, “Honestly, I think I might just listen to my girlfriend and the way she advises me. Some of my fantasies include a farm, guns, cattle. Crypto. That’s a lot of power, man.”

    Hulme understands the consequences and possibilities that come with every step into the cage. But when asked what fans can expect, he returns to his core: “9th of August. Come watch me. Leave it all in the cage. Above all, f* them, love yourself. Do something you love and make better choices.”