The ‘uncrowned king’ of Oktagon’s bantamweight division, Jonas Mågård (17-6), spoke with World In Sport combat sports reporter Dan Kelly ahead of his fight with Igor Severino (8-1) at Oktagon 65 at the o2 arena in Prague on 29th December.
The Danish bantamweight was scheduled to fight Felipe Lima earlier this year in a highly anticipated rematch for the division gold. At the time, the Brazilian Lima, the current champion, received a call-up from the UFC at short notice, which had left Mågård without a title fight and one that he had craved in an attempt to close the chapter with the Brazilian.
Despite this, the experienced Josh Hill (22-7) stepped in with no title on the line. Mågård didn’t have a wasted camp and was matched with a worthy international opponent who collected wins on major promotions such as Bellator. Mågård impressed with his work on the evening and walked away with a unanimous decision win at Oktagon 59 Summer Party in Bratislava.
“I Know Everything About Him”
Five months later, he’s been matched with another international opponent, former UFC fighter Igor Severino. When asked how much he knows about the Brazilian, Mågård said, “I know everything about him, how he trains, eats, his strengths, his mental weaknesses, the whole lot. I’ve prepared for the best version of Severino as he is new to the promotion and has something to prove.”
He added to that by saying, “It has the potential to be fight of the night, he’s eleven years younger than me so he comes with a young mind set, he’s pretty fired up and seems a bit wild and the funny thing is that I always fight better when I fight these types of guys.” Pleased with the style of fighter he’s been matched with and also having something to prove as he wants to remain the uncrowned king of the bantamweight division and make it three wins from three this year.
Cartwright Declines Title Fight.
Speaking on the dimensions of the top of the rankings and whether he will fight for the vacant championship next year pending a win over Severino, he explained, “Jack Cartwright was offered to fight on the 7th of December, and he declined that, so now why am I waiting for this guy? I already beat him once and I want to stay active, we was actually scheduled and had a date for the title fight next year but I just said I’m going to stay active, I’m in my prime and I’m injury free!”
With the Dane not willing to hang around and wait for Cartwright, who had declined the opportunity to have a rematch, he wants to capitalize on some of the best form of his career. After the three-round war and epic storyline of genuine dislike and competitiveness between the pair earlier this year, it’s one that the hierarchy wants to make again after the recent attempts to do so.
The fight between Mågård and Cartwright at Oktagon 52 captured the fan’s imagination for the organization’s second show in the UK, and it delivered; there would be no complaints here if they were to run in back for the belt in 2025.
But first, Mågård has the task of beating Severino on 29th December, which you can watch LIVE on DAZN in the UK from 6 pm. See OKTAGON TV Pay-Per-View for details on other territories.
FULL INTERVIEW: JONAS MÅGÅRD AHEAD OF FIGHT WITH SEVERINO AT #OKTAGON65 – TALKS CARTWRIGHT, CREASEY & MORE! #MMA
