Gjoni Palokaj defeats Jakub Batfalský in Oktagon 75 main event
Gjoni Palokaj comes up big at Oktagon 75
Hannover, Germany, got it’s first taste of OKTAGON action this past Saturday, September 13, as we took over Zag Arena with a capacity crowd of over 11,000 fans. OKTAGON 75 featured a host of German talent who took the next steps in their careers and the featherweight division was well and truly shaken up.
In the main event, Gjoni Palokaj (12-3) extended his winning streak to seven as he bested Jakub Batfalský (8-2) over fifteen minutes to claim victory. The Fight School Hannover product once again displayed his well-rounded abilities, but it was his grappling dominance which really came to the fore. Palokaj has well and truly placed himself in the title picture at featherweight while Batfalský’s spirited performance ensures his stock doesn’t drop.
Lazar Todev (12-7) continued his pursuit of heavyweight gold in the co-headliner by earning a decision victory over UFC veteran, Luis Barbosa (16-10, 1NC). The matchup mostly took place on the feet where the Bulgarian managed to land the more accurate and cleaner strikes over the distance. Todev is always on the edge of a crack at the strap and with the upcoming championship bout between Will Fleury and Martin Buday on the horizon, he’ll plot his next move carefully.
As part of a flyweight feature bout, David Dvořák (22-6) successfully returned to the organisation by knocking out Mohammed Walid (8-5) in the very first round. He threw a perfectly timed right hand which dropped Walid to the canvas and the referee waved off the contest shortly thereafter. A shot at the belt against reigning king, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, in an intriguing clash could well be next!
💥 Statement sent!
David Dvořák 🇨🇿 did exactly what he said he was going to do, delivering a message to all flyweights by finishing Walid.
Has been done enough to earn a title shot? #OKTAGON75
📺 https://t.co/TVP7NaDRbZ & RTL pic.twitter.com/EvtmnHtrCL
— OKTAGON (@OktagonOfficial) September 13, 2025
Khalid Taha (16-5, 1NC) was trailing Edgar Delgado Jimenez (15-8) on all three scorecards heading into the third round of their featherweight meeting before unleashing some explosive punches to finish his adversary in very impressive fashion. During the post-fight interview, Taha once again called to face the man he was originally supposed to headline this event against, Max Holzer, in a bout that just became even more mouth-watering. Also at featherweight, Mago Machaev (16-2, 1NC) dominated Wanderley Junior (18-11) on the way to a TKO victory in the second frame.
ICYMI: Khalid Taha 🇩🇪 scored a huge knockout over Jimenez last night at OKTAGON 75.
He was down by two rounds but rallied to leave no doubt in the final frame.
Where do you think Taha sits in the featherweight division? pic.twitter.com/gPArsX0anp
— OKTAGON (@OktagonOfficial) September 14, 2025
Elsewhere on the card, Emilio Quissua (7-0) remained undefeated and became a name to watch in the light heavyweight division by finishing Mateusz Strzelczyk (15-15-1, 1NC) due to strikes. ‘The German Tarzan’, Hugo Vach (6-1), also had a successful promotional debut against Moritz Merten (2-2) at a catchweight of 69.5kg/153lbs.
OKTAGON 75 Results
Main Card
Main Event
Featherweight
Gjoni Palokaj (12-3) defeated Jakub Batfalský (8-2) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Co-Main Event
Heavyweight
Lazar Todev (12-7) defeated Luis Barbosa (16-10, 1NC) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Flyweight
David Dvořák (22-6) defeated Mohammed Walid (8-5) by knockout (punches) at 3:56 of round one
Featherweight
Khalid Taha (16-5, 1NC) defeated Edgar Delgado Jimenez (15-8) by knockout (punches) at 0:37 of round three
Light Heavyweight
Emilio Quissua (7-0) defeated Mateusz Strzelczyk (15-15-1, 1NC) by TKO (punches) at 3:03 of round one
Preliminary Card
Featherweight
Mago Machaev (16-2, 1NC) defeated Wanderley Junior (18-11) by TKO (punches) at 4:37 of round two
Catchweight (69.5kg/153lbs)
Hugo Vach (6-1) defeated Moritz Merten (2-2) by TKO (doctor’s stoppage) at 5:00 of round one
Welterweight
Lukáš Eliáš (5-1) defeated Emir-Can Al (2-2) by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:35 of round two
Featherweight
Henrique Madureira (8-7) defeated Nikolaos Serbezis (8-5) by knockout (punch) at 2:35 of round one
Catchweight (80kg/176lbs)
Jixie Molapo (1-1) defeated Finn Griessmann (1-3) by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
