Jakub Tichota “See a Lot of Ways to Finish Him (Losene Keita)”
Jakub Tichota clashes with Losene Keita at Oktagon 42: Tichota vs Keita on April 29th for the OKMMA Interim Featherweight Championship.
Tichota appeared on Bowks Talking Bouts to touch on the pseudo-redemptive nature of this short-notice title bid, thoughts on the growth of Oktagon MMA since his entire pro career has been under their banner, and a whole lot more. Excerpts from our chat are below.
Jakub Tichota
When Tichota got word that this short-notice Oktagon MMA title fight opportunity would be coming his way
“I was expecting to fight on May 20 on the next Oktagon tournament. But this short notice came and I accepted it because it’s a big chance. It’s a big chance to prove I’m one of the world’s top fighters. To beat (Losene) Keita like a top contender and get Oktagon belt, it should be massive. Massive jump in my career and achieving my dream to be the best fighter in the world.”
Tichota’s last fight being for an 145 pound interim belt with Oktagon and if this fight presents a redemptive opportunity since he fell short last time out
“Yeah it’s another chance for the title and I think this will be the happy one. I got it like a new chapter, not just redemption. But of course, it’s opportunity like the next fight is title fight here and I have the new chance to be the champ.”
Oktagon 42
Being an IMMAF gold medalist and what this belt would represent to Tichota as a professional accomplishment and getting a title unification bout next if he gets his desired outcome this weekend
“This will be absolutely the top of my career yet but I’m aiming for the UFC belt. To be the best in the world. So I hope this will be the big trophy, the big one but not the biggest one in my career… I hope and I think so. Now I will beat Losene Keita on Saturday and I will be interim champ but we will have to fight for the real belt against Mate (Sanikidze). So I hope he will heal up well with his shoulder injury and we will meet in the octagon one more time. This time I will be the winner.”
Thoughts on the resume of stylistic attributes of Losene Keita in Tichota’s estimation
“He’s a big name because he’s like unbeatable yet. But I think the hype is such more bigger than the real like level of his skills. Because I think, not only think, I believe I have complete skillset to beat him. I watch a lot, I can see a lot of ways to finish him, and I will go for it on Saturday. I think this name is the biggest one in my resume, But it will be the biggest victory in my resume.”