MMA

Youth forward?! The former two-time champion belt holder was stripped of his title by the Octagon

Octagon has decided to stir the featherweight waters due to a lingering injury to champion Ivan Buchinger. The organization has stripped the champion of his title, which will be contested by two young predators.

Published

2 years ago

21. 9. 2022

Martin Zajic

Two-time champion Buchinger is having a rough time

Just a year ago, Ivan Buchinger was in the spotlight as he held titles in two weight classes in the biggest domestic MMA organization, Oktagon. In January 2021, he won the lightweight championship belt when he stopped Ronny Paradeiser in the first round.

He then conquered the featherweight division last September when he dominated Vojta Barborik in a memorable match. But in June, his steep decline began. He unexpectedly fell to the predatory Losen Keita in the first round in the main event of Oktagon 33.

After that, he received another blow of fate when he had to undergo knee surgery. To make matters worse, the organization released a statement on their social media yesterday that due to his absence, the featherweight title has been vacated and young predators will be given a chance.

The organization also stripped him of his second title after his loss to Keita

“It’s been over a year since Ivan Buchinger won the belt and it will be 15 months in December, ” the organization said in a statement on Instagram. “He is currently coming off knee surgery and a return will not be realistic until the first half of next year,” the Oktagon organization explained.

“Thus, the vacant title will be contested between the number two Sanikidze and number three Tichota,” the organization announced, confirming the information that the December duel between the young guns at the Oktagon 37 tournament in Ostrava will be a title fight.

“It will be interesting to see how the whole division will develop and how Ivan will jump back into the action,” added Oktagon.