Tipsport Gamechanger or The project that can help Oktagon conquer European MMA

On March 2, 2024, Oktagon will launch the second edition of the Tipsport Gamechanger project. After the already packed welter expanded the organization with new big names, the Czechoslovakian organization is looking to do the same at lightweight. The million-dollar pyramid is helping Ondrej Novotny and Pavel Neruda conquer European MMA.

Oktagon kept its word

Before Oktagon even introduced the first edition of the tournament, there was a lot of silence around it. He promised something big that everyone would be excited about. It’s never easy to keep such words, but Pavol Neruda and Ondrej Novotny did it. Their Tipsport Gamechanger became something special, unique.

The second edition of Oktagon starts on Saturday, March 2, and we already know exactly what to expect. Unfamiliar fans may find many unfamiliar names, but thanks to the fact that there are also Czechoslovak fighters in the pyramid, they have the opportunity to get to know them.

In fact, it could be said that Tipsport Gamechanger is not entirely aimed at the Czechoslovak audience. It is meant to make Oktagon a purely European organisation, which is helped by the fact that the real aces of their countries are involved in the battle for millions.

“We can find a lot of fighters who are number one in their countries. That’s exactly what we wanted, to catch up with the best that Europe has to offer. We are recruiting fans gradually. We are expanding the group and the growth thanks to Tipsport Gamechanger is significant. But I don’t have exact numbers,” said Pavol Neruda, one of the founders of the organization, in an interview with Ruik before the launch of Pyramid.

It’s such a big project that even the champion Losene Keita stayed in the Oktagon instead of leaving for another organization not only because of it. “It’s a big thing. We’re growing together with Oktagon, they’ve given me a great opportunity and now they’ve brought in great fighters that I can beat,” the champion let slip in a brief confessional to our website.

Moreover, Black Panther is not only motivated by the 300,000 euros the winner will get: “There are great fighters here. But I’m hungry. I’m not here for the money like they are. I’m fighting for a legacy. I want to prove that I’m the best. I’ll beat them all.”

What makes Tipsport Gamechanger so special?

At first glance, apart from the money, Tipsport Gamechanger may not seem all that unique. It’s not a pyramid scheme that can be played out in a single night. Or in very quick succession, it’s within the normal MMA rules, but the uniqueness lies in other things.

For example, in the kind of fights that can be made. Outside of this project, Vladimir Lengal would have a hard time getting a fight with former KSW champion Daniel Torres, more likely not at all. This way he gets the chance of a lifetime to prove himself. The champions of the Oktagon can try to compete against stars from other countries, which is also very attractive, while not even losing their title.

In addition, the Oktagon can target a wider territory. It can choose the best free fighters in each country, through whose participation it can win fans in new markets. This gets rid of the extreme dependence on one particular market.

Moreover, the fighters do not represent only themselves. They represent their country. The emphasis on nationality is a little more than in conventional fights. Another great thing is that fans can get involved in the pyramid by voting.

Moreover, looking back at the first edition, the already packed Welterweight division is now even more packed. You could call it world class. If after the second edition all the biggest stars can be retained and the same spirit continues in the following years, the future of the Oktagon is very bright.

It’s not just the fighters who take the pyramid seriously

There is interest in Tipsport Gamechanger. Ondrej Novotny admitted that he is getting calls from managers of various fighters who want to join the project. Along with the expansion into Germany and the UK, it’s a great combination that has helped make Oktagon more visible among fans and in the international media.

For example, the star of this year’s edition, Makwan Amirkhani, compared the pyramid finals to a title fight in the UFC. Bojan Velickovic, the winner of the first pyramid, has become a hero in his country. Even some journalists compare him to Novak Djokovic or Nikola Jokic. He didn’t enjoy such prestige even when he fought in the UFC.

In a similar vein, defeated first-year finalist Andreas Michailidis, who has become a hero of Greek MMA, has also enjoyed a surge in popularity. Serbia and Greece are keen for Oktagon to look into these countries and hold tournaments there. In short, an excellent move.

This year’s Tipsport Gamechanger could make the Oktagon a little more popular in Spain, where MMA is booming after Ilia Topuria became UFC champion. So if Acoidan Duque is successful, it could open new doors for Oktagon to enter an interesting and huge market again.

Of course, you’re not going to host a project in the same style forever. But it can work for a long time, and with some adjustments in each edition. The Czechoslovak organization is well on its way to becoming a European leader. Tipsport Gamechanger will be at the heart of it all.

Source: Tipsport Gamechanger, Oktagon MMA, Ruik