Oktagon returned to Germany for Oktagon 60 in Oberhausen, as their newest German signing produced a huge statement on his promotional debut.
Russian-born German lightweight Lom-Ali Eskiev had already built up a solid 21-7 record fighting across Europe for promotions including KSW and ACB, and he was handed a tough test on his Oktagon debut, with the matchmakers throwing him into a main event matchup with former two-division Oktagon champion Ivan Buchinger.
But, despite being given such a tricky first bout under the Oktagon banner, Eskiev, backed by a vocal Oberhausen crowd, produced an excellent display to stop “Buki” in the final minute of the opening round and immediately announce himself as a serious title threat in the promotion’s lightweight division.
🚀 Lom-Ali Eskiev has arrived!
The European standout stopped Buchinger in the very first round using his powerful, accurate punches.
Another fantastic addition to the OKTAGON MMA roster! #OKTAGON60
📺 https://t.co/TVP7NaEp1x & DAZN pic.twitter.com/TgOFV4u0xX
— OKTAGON MMA (@OktagonOfficial) September 7, 2024
On a fight card packed with German talent, six local fighters claimed victories, with Laura Kirtzel kicking things off in the preliminary bout all the way to Eskiev in the main event.
The co-main event delivered a German win, as former UFC prospect Niklas Stolze finished Matous Kohout in the first round with a spectacular flying knee and follow-up punches, but it was a frustrating night for Jaime Cordero, who appeared to have defeated Milan Datelinka only for replays to show that an elbow early on in his finishing sequence had landed illegally to the back of Datelinka’s head as he turned away from Cordero’s ground and pound attack.
It resulted in the matchup being ruled a no contest, with a frustrated Cordero left in the centre of the cage for the announcement while Datelinka was taken to the backstage area by medics.
The night also saw an impressive submission finish from Afghanistan’s Wahed Nazhand, who choked Max Handanagic unconscious with a rear-naked choke in their welterweight matchup.
SUBMISSION SECURED 🔒
Wahed Nazhand 🇦🇫 finished Max Handanagić with a tight rear naked choke in Oberhausen to send the crowd wild.
OKTAGON MMA has a new star! #OKTAGON60
📺 https://t.co/TVP7NaDRbZ & DAZN pic.twitter.com/7M3e02PvJi
— OKTAGON MMA (@OktagonOfficial) September 7, 2024
There was also a big win on the preliminary card for Hassan Shaaban, but it remains to be seen what’s next for him, as his disrespectful conduct throughout the fight, and after his victory was announced, clearly left Oktagon co-founder Ondrej Novotny seething.
Oktagon’s busy 2024 schedule will see the promotion head back home to Czechia for Oktagon 61 in Brno, which will see the two semi-finals of the €1 million Tipsport Gamechanger lightweight tournament at the Winning Group Arena on September 21.
Oktagon 60: Official results
- Lom-Ali Eskiev def. Ivan Buchinger via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:10
- Niklas Stolze def. Matous Kohout via TKO (flying knee and punches) – Round 1, 2:04
- Jaime Cordero vs. Milan Datelinka ruled a no contest (accidental illegal elbow) – Round 1, 0:34
- Jakub Bahnik def. Mohamed Grabinski via split decision
- Wahed Nazhand def. Max Handanagic via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:00
- Gjoni Palokaj def. Karol Artega via unanimous decision
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Hassan Shaaban def. Kevin Enz via split decision
- Cihad Akipa def. Dominic Schober via unanimous decision
- Daniel Hromek def. Emir-Can Al via unanimous decision
- Marek Bartl def. Zoran Solaja via TKO (elbows) – Round 1, 2:53
- Laura Kirtzel def. Haifa Reso via split decision
