MMA
Tipsport Gamechanger as a league of European champions or Oktagon? A look at the rankings explains the current situation
Tipsport Gamechanger. Originally a grand project of Oktagon, who announced it as a planned European MMA champions league. However, it seems that the bulk of the pyramid will be formed by the stars of the Czechoslovakian organization. This fact has attracted quite a lot of criticism. However, if we look at the rankings, we can see why this is the case.
But the initial enthusiasm of a significant number of supporters has somewhat waned. So far, we know that the stars of the Octagon will join the pyramid. Namely Kaik Brito, David Kozma, Leandro Silva, Máté Kertész, Bojan Velickovic, Christian Eckerlin, Christian Jungwirth and probably Patrik Kincl, who is still deciding.
Subsequently, Samuel Krištofič confirmed his participation, and Alex Lohoré also took part. According to promoter Ondrej Novotny, Radovan Úškrt’s participation looks realistic. And the list of Oktagon stars in Gamechanger does not have to end there.
But it should be mentioned that Oktagon has welterweight on an incredible level. Truly world-class. This is one of the reasons why the considerable number of Oktagon fighters in the entire project cannot be disparaged at all. There is another reason, however.
In addition, John Hathaway, who is restarting his career in the Octagon after a long layoff, could get a spot and could definitely be a big favorite to win the overall.
A look at the rankings? It offers good news and bad news
We’ll just have to wait for their announcement now. However, his words are confirmed that there aren’t that many top fighters available to join the pyramid. It’s actually quite hard to find anyone in the rankings that can be counted on.
And that’s even when you look at the rankings, not just welterweight, but also lightweight if someone wanted to make weight, or middleweight if someone was willing to lose weight instead.
There are a few names in the welterweight division itself. The most interesting one is Abdoul Abdouraguimov, the 27-year-old champion of the French organization ARES FC, who is ranked 71st in the Fight Matrix rankings and boasts an excellent 15-1 record.
Otherwise, though, there’s really almost no one in the elite 100 at either weight. Not if we take into account the criteria Novoný mentioned. That is, not counting Polish or Russian fighters and the fact that Europeans count.
All the top guys are under contracts in the UFC, Bellator, ACA, Rizin, EAGLE FC, or will fight for a million dollars in the PFL.
However, we can take into account the fact that the Octagon has looked out for not-so-great fighters, who of course have all the more potential to really make a splash.
Source: Oktagon MMA, Fight Matrix
