After Hatef Moeil launched the heavyweight championship belt toward rival Lazar Todev at the pre-fight press conference, their fight was ultimately removed from the card. The vacant welterweight championship fight was bumped up to the main event, where ‘Dracula’ Ion Surdu claimed the title after defeating the former champion Kaik Brito with a stunning head kick in the first round.
Tension and fiery build-ups are always a good selling point in fight build-ups, but at Friday’s pre-fight press conference, the now-former Oktagon MMA heavyweight champion’s actions were deemed a step too far when he launched the belt towards his opponent. Sat to the German’s left as he threw it was co-promoter Pavol Neruda, and with the championship belt scraping the top of his head, what followed led to Moeil dropping out, which was announced by the promotion on fight day.
Being told he would be fined for his actions, Moeil decided against fighting on the card as he strongly disagreed with the decision. This came as a disappointment to fans as there will now be no closing chapter between Bulgarian Todev and free agent Hatef Moeil.
MOEIL LAUNCHES BELT AT TODEV. WATCH HERE: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDP4VXru3gQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Surdu Wins with a Stunning Head Kick
Ion Surdu and Kaik Brito were the main events, which, in short, were delivered. The contest lasted only two and thirty-four seconds in Munich’s newest arena, Sap Garden. ‘Dracula’ Surdu has been on a terrific run under the Czech/Slovak banner and added to his stunning highlight reel of KO’s over names like European MMA legend Alex Lahore, with one on Saturday evening over former champion Brito.
Taking his record to 16-6 and sitting at the top of a stacked division, I see plenty of mouth-watering potential match-ups with German superstar Christian Eckerlin. For now, the new champion will bask in the fruits of his labour and enjoy the feeling of winning his first major MMA title as he joins training partner and friend Ronald Paradesier as a current Oktagon champion. ‘Rony’ currently holds the lightweight crown and defends his throne against top Belgian prospect Losene Keita at the O2 arena in Prague on December 29th.
One To Watch
Germany is one of Oktagon’s strongholds, and they have many superstars in the ranks, which has enabled them to break records with events at football stadiums. There is one rising talent fighting out of fight school Hannover that has taken the promotion by storm since the start of the year. Max Holzer arrived with a 6-0 record amassed on the German regional scene, and he has now reached 10-0 with a win coming in Newcastle, England, two wins in Frankfurt with one at Oktagon 62 inside Eintracht Frankfurt FC stadium and the latest one coming this weekend in Munich.
He’s finished three of four opponents this year and dominated on Saturday evening with a unanimous decision victory over fellow countryman Eugen Black-Dell. He is matched steadily against fighters with similar records and comes through every time in style as he has worked his way up the rankings towards a title opportunity. Now sitting at number five, he intends to be involved in said title shot within the next 12 months.
Keep your eyes on Max Holzer and his charge towards featherweight gold.
Full Undercard Results:
Ion Surdu def Kaik Brito KO/TKO, 2:34 R1
A. Poppeck vs. M. Strzelczyk Ends in a No Contest
Max Holzer def E. Black-Dell Unanimous Dec
P. Vespaziani def S. Herzberg KO/TKO, 2:57 R2
Jakub Dohnal def M. Deiga-Scheck Sub, 2:43 R3
Jamie Cordero def Ion Taburceanu Sub, 1:00 R1
Gökhan Aksu def Jan Malach Sub, 3:28 R1
Marek Bartl def E. Brajshori Sub, 2:57 R1
Fedor Duric def Jan Stanovský Unanimous Dec
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