Pavol Neruda is fulfilling his aspirations as he plays a pivotal role in elevating OKTAGON MMA.
This European promotion makes its return this weekend with OKTAGON 72 in Prague, Czech Republic, following its previous record-setting event in the country last year.
Recently, OKTAGON notably broke the UFC’s record for the highest-attended MMA event globally, with over 60,000 spectators at Deutsche Bank Arena in Frankfurt last October.
At the close of 2024, the promotion secured a multi-year television agreement with RTL, a major European broadcaster, valuing the company at €250 million (£213 million), as noted by Neruda in a discussion with The Independent.
As they prepare for the event at Fortuna Arena—home to Czech football giants Slavia Prague, accommodating over 24,000 fans for MMA—Neruda expressed his and co-founder Ondrej Novotny’s goals of engaging UK fans while outpacing rivals like the UFC and PFL. “We pride ourselves on being the most entertaining MMA show in the world,” he remarked following OKTAGON 71 in Munich, directly addressing UK audiences.
The Munich event saw a near-capacity crowd when Endrit Brajshori knocked out Jan Malach in the very first fight, showcasing an extraordinary atmosphere, something rare in other MMA promotions. “We aim to tell the fighters’ stories so that the audience feels connected,” Neruda added, emphasizing their focus on an entertaining experience.
Neruda concluded with excitement about the prospects for the promotion, stating, “We’ve made a significant leap with the RTL deal, sending a clear message across Europe that OKTAGON is a major player.” With future events planned in both the UK and Ireland, the promotion’s growth looks promising, especially with its current champions, including Irishman Will Fleury, capturing the attention of fans worldwide.
