Oktagon 60 Preview; Buchinger vs Eskiev

Oktagon will once again wow the German fans with their elite arena show this Saturday. Oktagon 60 takes place in the Rudolf Weber Arena in Oberhausen, with eleven bouts going down in front of a baying mob of 13,000 fans.

Enter Lom-Ali Eskiev (21-7), a man making his debut for the promotion. The UFD Gym Düsseldorf man has performed in arenas around the world, and Saturday will be his biggest show on home turf in his career. A veteran of KSW and ACA, the Russian born fighter has been at it since 2011, taking on all comers in their neck of the woods. The 32-year-old catches the eye with his kickboxing, where he uses great technique and big power to generate highlight reel worthy knockouts. Maybe not as flashy but just as effective, “Leon” can also dominate in the grappling exchanges, staying heavy on top. A legend will stand across the cage. Ivan Buchinger (43-9) has won more MMA title belts than you can shake a stick at. Whether it was Cage Warriors, M-1 Global, XFN or Oktagon, this man ascended to the top of these divisions and became their king. The 38-year-old has remained active, winning four of five since 2023. The Slovakian is a submission expert and a choke aficionado. “Buchi” doesn’t discriminate, if you have a neck, he’ll use one of his many, many techniques to snatch it. Add to that his crisp kickboxing game, he’s been one of Europe’s most fan friendly fighters since debuting in 2008. Eskiev will be the favourite, however this could be a close contest.

Matouš Kohout (11-7) only has one gear, forward. The Czech is one of Oktagon’s reliable fan favourites who always puts on a show. “The Mighty Rooster” is a Muay Thai stylist who’s brave on the attack and is never afraid to stand and bang. The Prague man has won three of his last four, with all wins coming via well worked decisions. Niklas Stolze (13-7) is a UFC veteran and hails from the north of the country. The Magdeburg man is a kickboxer with a great high kick and heavy punches. The 31-year-old has an effective wrestling game, where he works in his rear naked chokes. Both men are at similar points in their career, however I’d expect Stolze’s higher level experience to aid him getting this down to the mat.

Milan Ďatelinka (10-7) is here for a good time, not a long time. The Slovakian is a believer in the one hitter quitter. The kickboxer loves brutalising his opponents with his kicks, elbows and punches. He likes to work quickly and most of his knockouts come early in the first round. Jamie Cordeiro (5-2) has shown signs that he’s one to watch for the future. The German has been an exciting addition to the Oktagon roster, displaying his raw power in his fists and a devastating head kick. He’ll be brave and exchange on the feet for a spell, however I think he’ll try and work in some wrestling.

Mohamed Grabiński (23-10) is a man in need of a win having lost his last three. The Brave CF veteran competed in both the 2023 and 2024 Tipsort Gamechanger tournaments, being eliminated from both. The Düsseldorf man is a solid striker who’s great in the clinch with his knees and elbows, and dangerous in open space with his punches and kicking. If he gets his striking going early, he’s usually able to finish it in a round or two. The German also has a good grappling game. Jakub Bahnik (9-5) is another man heading across the border from the east. The Czech is an XFN veteran who has one route to victory, knocking you unconscious. The early minutes are his playground and he’ll be swinging with everything to get a finish. The 30-year-old has massive power and he’s not afraid to use it. I’d expect Grabiński to get back into the win column with a more well rounded approach.

Wahed Nazhand (8-2) was victorious in his Oktagon debut last March in a close split decision. The Afghani is a mean puncher who goes for the kill. The 30-year-old can also fall back on a solid wrestling game. He has a tendency to get into close fights. Max Handanagić (9-6-1) is one of those fighters who got off to a rocky start as a pro, losing four of his first five. The Bosnian went on to win eight of his next eleven. Just over half his wins were via knockout, with noticeable damage done with his head kick and elbows. The 27-year-old has a serviceable submission game. He’ll need to keep this standing to have a chance in my opinion.

Gjoni Palokaj (8-3) makes his sophomore Oktagon appearance following a decision win in his debut back in February in the very same arena. The German is well rounded with some power on the feet and a good grappling ability. Six of his eight wins came before the final bell. Karol Arteaga (5-1) is a young man making his debut on Saturday. The Venezuelan has shown great submission competency on the local scene, showing some rear naked and arm triangle chokes. The 19-year-old has been training hard in the striking realms and was rewarded with a KO win last June, as well as another one in a Muay Thai bout in December. Palokaj has a higher level experience in my view, which should shepherd him to where he needs to go.

The next fight is a rematch from their amateur days. Hassan Shabaan (3-1) is a man who’s been doing business in his Oktagon stint to date. The Lebanese is a UFD Gym prospect and had a highlight reel flying knee knockout win last December. The 22-year-old is well rounded and can be competitive throughout. He won the amateur bout by decision. Kevin Entz (3-1) will be pursuing some revenge now that both are pros. The German makes his promotional debut and aims to bring his action packed style to the big stage. Submissions are his strongest facet, winning his first two fights in that manner. The 25-year-old attained his first knockout victory back in March and his only defeat was to Team KF uber prosper Dom Norkus. I fancy Shaaban to take this one.

Cihad Akipa (6-2) is on a two-fight skid after winning his first six fights. The German comes from a boxing and kickboxing background and is known for his heavy hitting style. The 28-year-old Glory veteran is aiming to get into the win column with a big knockout here. Dominic Schober (13-12) travels in from the south from Austria. The 33-year-old is a 50/50 fighter who’s very well rounded in his attacks. The Vienna man has half his wins coming from strikes and the other from submissions. He has lost six of his last eight however and I’d expect him to get caught with one of Akipa’s big strikes.

Amir-Can Al (1-0) is the latest prospect off the UFD Gym conveyer belt. The German looked great in his debut, a first round knockout back at this arena in February. He was a very experienced amateur, representing Germany at an IMMAF level at multiple tournaments. Daniel Hromek (3-4) makes his sixth Oktagon walk on Saturday. The Slovakian is a Muay Thai specialist with power in his punches. The 30-year-old has only won once in MMA since 2019. I see Al using his overall experience to get the job done, likely mixing in some grappling.

Zoran Solaja (2-0) is another UFD Gym prospect on the card. The German returns to MMA after being inactive since 2019. The Düsseldorf man won both of his pro fights by second round knockout. He’ll be eager to prove his improvements since we last saw him. Marek Bartl (11-13) is a ten-fight Oktagon veteran, and has an even split of five wins and five losses. The Czech comes from a boxing background and he throws mean hooks. He’s been active since 2012 and has a lot of experience. Solaja will need to start quickly to get the win.

The Proyekt Y final goes down in the YouTube free prelim. Laura Kirtzel (1-0) was victorious in her semi-final via first round submission, with a rear naked choke. Haifa Reso (1-0) claimed her spot in the final with a third round ground and pound finish last May. Laura is my pick for this one, she looked the best of all four fighters in the semis.

Oktagon 60 is live from Oberhausen on Saturday night from 17:00 Irish time on Oktagon.tv and DAZN.