Oktagon 94 Preview: Frankfurt Stadium, Eckerlin v Kozma

Oktagon returns this Saturday with their biggest show of the year. 55,000 fans will pack the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt under the roof, and they’ll be treated to the bouts at Oktagon 94.

In the main event, Christian Eckerlin (18-8) again headlines a card in front of his hometown crowd, a city he finished his pro football career in. The German is the biggest ticket seller in the region and has been one of the scene’s legendary names for quite a long time. The 39-year-old beat Matouš Kohout in Hamburg in March by decision, and his last win before that was in this very stadium in 2024 against Christian Jungwirth. The Spitfire Team standout is an accomplished wrestler with good submissions, with the rear naked choke being his favourite option. He’s a competent kickboxer and packs a bit of a punch. Fourteen of his wins have come within the distance. David Kozma (34-15) will walk out to the Baywatch theme for his biggest fight yet, bringing his Pink Panther persona to the big stage. The Czech is a former longtime OKMMA Welterweight champion, defending five times. The 34-year-old comes in hot off two decision wins, catching his second wind in his career. The Karvina man is a very strong wrestler in his own right, using it to dominate fights from beginning to end. He’s tapped out twelve opponents, primarily via rear naked choke or armbar, and has also had nine knockouts. He isn’t afraid of exchanging on the feet, and he likes getting in close to land elbows and knees.

Max Coga (27-8-1) was a double-weight champion in NFC on the national scene, while also flying the flag in KSW, M-1 Global, BRAVE CF and the PFL. The Frankfurt man will be a popular man in the stadium, and he rides the wave of a four-fight win streak. The 37-year-old has long been considered a premier talent coming out of Central Europe, and has a reputation for being an action fighter. The German can grapple his bottom off, picking up twelve submission wins, mostly off the back of his takedowns and wrestling. He’s quick and aggressive on the feet, usually wearing opponents down before finishing them off, and he has eleven knockouts on his record. Christian Jungwirth (16-9) has been one of the most important pillars of the Oktagon expansion into the country, with arenas and stadiums erupting to his walkout song “Auf gate Freunde” by Böhse Onkelz. The 39-year-old offers up his blood, sweat and tears for our entertainment and he never lets us down. The Stuttgart man is coming for a fight, and he’ll bite down on his mouthpiece and look to hurt his opponent. The German doesn’t mind getting hit, and he’ll stay in your face for the duration. He has knocked out six foes.

Karlos Vémola (38-9) is a UFC veteran of six fights and is perhaps the man most responsible for building MMA in Czechia and Slovakia. The legend has come out of retirement for one more big one, and he’s never been one to back down from a challenge. Between Oktagon and XFN, he’s been responsible for many of the top European attendances in history. The 42-year-old “Terminator” was a two-weight OKMMA champion. The Czech will be looking to be the one walking forward, force his opponent to back towards the cage and then work in his heavy hands and great takedown ability. When it hits the deck, he’ll weaken you with ground and pound, then look for the back, or the arm triangle. He’s amassed twenty submission wins. Frederic Vosgröne (5-0) is the young, confident upstart who called out Oktagon’s greatest fighter, looking to steal some of his shine for his own. The German has exploded onto the scene with his freakish strength and expert wrestling. The 30-year-old made a name for himself on the BJJ scene, medalling in IBJJF and ADCC competition. The Düsseldorf man trains out of the UFD Gym in the city, one of Europe’s premier gyms. Once “The Neanderthal” grabs you, it’s almost impossible to break his grip. He’s a leg lock specialist and is also nifty with an arm triangle. All victories have been tap outs, and it’s been eleven years since King Karlos got submitted.

There will be one “Stand and Bang” rules bout on the card. Edmon Avagyan (1-0 boxing) is known for running the “Ringlife” YouTube / social media brand where he discusses all things boxing and MMA. The 34-year-old was a long time amateur boxer, but has recently tried out as a professional and won his debut in May via knockout. He’s even training with pro fighters for a long time and faces his toughest test to date here. Dominic Schober (16-15) is one of those naturally born fighters who grew up with a gumshield in his mouth. The Austrian will fight anybody, anywhere, anytime. The 35-year-old makes his fourth promotional appearance and he comes in off a win against Jason Radcliffe in May. The Vienna man is a scrapper and he swings big and can land big, with eight knockout wins.

Fedor Durić (10-1) is the hottest prospect coming out of the country and is the protege of the likes of Eckerlin and Coga. The MMA Spirit man has built up a great resume despite his young age. The 22-year-old has won his last two bouts, finishing Petru Buzdugan by rear naked choke and Tomáš Murdoch by ground strikes in the last year. The Frankfurt man primarily excels with his grappling, however his striking is levelling up quickly. Time is on his side and he’s already a savage finisher, with eight of his wins not needing the judges. Marc Diakiese (18-8) is a very experienced fifteen-fight UFC veteran making his Oktagon debut. The former BAMMA champion started out as a wrestling prodigy, before developing into a wicked striker the longer his career progressed. “Bonecrusher” didn’t earn the nickname by making soup, he has the ability to explode in an instant and add to his highlight reel. Seven wins have come via finish, and he’s very tough and durable with the ability to dominate a decision. The 33-year-old has recharged his batteries and is ready to show the form that brought him to the big show.

Deniz Ilbay (9-3) has always been a must-watch talent and he’s always there to put on a show. The UFD Gym man was a pro boxer with a 22-3 record before switching codes, and he’s shown some lively skills in the cage with his body punches and combinations. The 31-year-old isn’t a one hit wonder and has surprised many opponents with his takedown skills. Ground and pound has played a huge part in his success in the small gloves. The Cologne man pushes the pace, tries to initiate the action and doesn’t show any fear. Hugo Vach (8-1) is another of his nation’s up-and-coming stars and he’s picked up a hat-trick of Oktagon wins so far. “German Tarzan” has won his last five bouts, including a rip-roaring right hook knockout last May. The 26-year-old does most of his work on the feet, developing a vicious and damaging style with plenty of punches and elbows being thrown at the opponents’ domes. The Hannover man has five knockout victories.

Jaime Cordero (10-2) is undefeated in his last six and is already making his thirteenth appearance for the company, working his way up from the free YouTube prelims. The Bremen man has brought plenty of excitement to our lives since then, presenting a high octane kickboxing style with a lot of flair. The 34-year-old throws up big head kicks, throws with massive power in his hands, and he’s got bravery for days. That has resulted in six knockout wins. Robert Pukač (21-14-1) is a man in his prime with recent victories over David Kozma and Christian Eckerlin. The Slovakian is making his eighteenth promotional walk, and he won’t be overawed by the occasion. The Bratislava man has had big success with his striking in recent times, utilising his power to hurt opponents. The 34-year-old is tough as old boots and has no problem battling it out over the fifteen minutes.

Tamerlan Dulatov (5-0) is an elite prospect whose fights usually last less than his walkout. The German is a man of many hats, combining his combat sports career with being a model and a business man. The Düsseldorf man and his brothers grew up fighting, most notably the UFC’s Islam Dulatov. The 26-year-old locks onto submissions at incredible speed, and can wrap up a D’arce or guillotine in a split second. Grappling has done the business most of the time for him, however he’s got a dangerous kickboxing game to match his grappling credentials. Nikola Janković (9-2) is a debutant and a promising name out of the Balkans. The Croatian is very good at taking the fight to the mat and utilising ground and pound. In the submission game, he’s got a few nifty chokes. The 21-year-old has one knockout from the feet, and he’s much more likely to secure a stoppage win by raining down punches from top.

Raul Lemberanskij (9-0) has had a great start to life in Oktagon, picking up a pair of wins. The Azeri came up through the German regional scene and he trains out of MMA Spirit in Frankfurt. The 24-year-old has a good grappling pedigree with a knack for taking the back and sinking in a rear naked choke. He has a pair of knockout wins to prove he can pose a threat on the feet. Roman Paulus (13-6) comes in off the back of an amazing four split decisions in-a-row, winning the last two. The Slovakian’s main threat is in wrestling, with a great ability to take it down, get to the back, get the hooks in and lock in the rear naked choke. The 26-year-old has shown great durability and has never been knocked out, and earned a singular striking win of his own in the third round of a fight, showing he can get it done late.

Michael Obodozie (1-0) debuted in Oktagon in March with a massive right hook knockout victory over Sebastian Horvath. That was a common theme for the Nigerian in his amateur days, with the bigger gloves proving no hindrance to his massive power. The Kassel man has obliterated every opponent out in front of him. Oskar Staszczak (5-0) picked up a decision win in his Oktagon debut last February against Adam Havran. The Pole has pro kickboxing experience and he’s great at nailing a leg kick or body shot. The Kraków man has power in his hands and he mixes up his game very well. He’s not afraid to go to the ground and use his ground and pound, with a slight rear naked choke threat.

Oktagon 94 is live from Frankfurt on Saturday night from 17:00 Irish time on Oktagon.tv.