Todev and Fleury clash for vacant heavyweight belt at OKTAGON 68 this Saturday

Europe’s leading promotion returns this Saturday night, March 8, to host a fascinating OKTAGON 68 card from Stuttgart, Germany. Over 15,000 fans are set to pack Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle as the heavyweight division takes centre stage and some domestic talent hope to deliver memorable moments for the partisan crowd.

In the main event, Lazar Todev (11-6) wants to finally claim the gold that he’s been chasing for so long when he collides with Will Fleury (14-3, 1NC), who steps up a division aiming to become a double champion, for the vacant heavyweight belt. Todev dropped a controversial decision for the title in November 2023 and didn’t get a chance at redemption as his opponent failed to show up for the rematch that was scheduled a couple of months ago. Since joining OKTAGON MMA last year, Irish star, Fleury, has dominated everyone he has fought and is now intent on adding a second championship to the light heavyweight strap he already owns. Will Todev achieve what he believes is his destiny in his adopted hometown or can Fleury take two belts back to Ireland?

UFC and Bellator veteran, Alan Omer (24-5), makes an inspiring comeback to the sport after four years away against Polish newcomer, Łukasz Kopera (11-8), at a 74kg/163lbs catchweight in the co-headliner. Omer was riding a six-fight winning streak in 2021 when a tumour was discovered during a brain scan which halted his career and turned his life upside down. He underwent a very risky surgery, and his tumour was successfully removed but he still had to rehab his brain to connect the part where the tumour was previously present – a lengthy recovery process. Stuttgart is the city Omer has made his home and he’ll be hoping to have the ultimate fairytale story on Saturday night as he enters competition once again to display his bravery and determination!

As part of a middleweight feature bout, Makhmud Muradov (27-8, 1NC) aims to secure a shot at the interim belt by overcoming Yasubey Enomoto (23-15) which will be no easy task. Enomoto has spent years plying his trade against the best of the best in Russia including Alexander Shlemenko, Roman Kopylov and Albert Tumenov. However, Muradov had a dominant display against Scott Askham last time out and knows that a massive fight for gold opposite Patrik Kincl in Eden football stadium is within touching distance.

In another feature bout, OKTAGON MMA original, Marek Bartl (13-13), has his sights set on taking out another German in Germany when he meets Christian Jungwirth’s training partner, Daniel Schwindt (6-2), at a catchweight of 82kg/181lbs. Furthermore, two UFC alumni, Jessin Ayari (17-6) and Andreas Stahl (17-5), clash in a welterweight matchup.

Elsewhere on the card, undefeated prospect, Robin Frank (5-0), makes his anticipated promotional debut against controversial Irishman, Denis Frimpong (4-2), at lightweight. Rising Czech talent, Jakub Batfalský (6-1), takes on dangerous finisher, Joel Batobo (4-0), in a featherweight contest and IMMAF champion, Alina Dalaslan (0-0), turns professional opposite Kamila Šimková (3-3) at bantamweight.

OKTAGON 68 will be broadcast live on OKTAGON.TV internationally and fans in Germany can watch on RTL+. Viewers in France can also tune in on RMC Sport and Greek audiences can see all the action on Cosmote.tv. S Sport Plus will carry the event for fans in Turkey. The show begins at 5pm GMT/6pm CET/12pm ET/9am PT.

OKTAGON 68 Fight Card
March 8^th – Stuttgart, Germany
 
Main Card
 
Main Event
Vacant Heavyweight Title
Lazar Todev (11-6) vs. Will Fleury (14-3, 1NC)
 
Co-Main Event
Catchweight (74kg/163lbs)
Alan Omer (24-5) vs. Łukasz Kopera (11-8)
 
Middleweight
Makhmud Muradov (27-8, 1NC) vs. Yasubey Enomoto (23-15)
 
Catchweight (82kg/181lbs)
Marek Bartl (13-13) vs. Daniel Schwindt (6-2)
 
Welterweight
Jessin Ayari (17-6) vs. Andreas Stahl (17-5)
 
Preliminary Card
 
Lightweight
Robin Frank (5-0) vs. Denis Frimpong (4-2)
 
Bantamweight
Roman Paulus (11-4) vs. Elvis Silva (14-8, 1NC)
 
Featherweight
Jakub Batfalský (6-1) vs. Joel Batobo (4-0)
 
Catchweight (88kg/194lbs)
Daniel Ligocki (3-1) vs. Erik Lorenz (1-0)
 
Bantamweight
Alina Dalaslan (Pro Debut) vs. Kamila Šimková (3-3)
 
Catchweight (73kg/161lbs)
Kevin Enz (3-3) vs. Benny Bajrami (6-3)

Roberto Villa

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.