The welterweight title might be on the road November 1st on the Profitable Group Area in Brno when reigning champion Ion “Dracula” Surdu faces native challenger Andrej “Vagabond” Kalašnik. The principle occasion of Oktagon 79 presents a big check for Kalašnik, who earned the chance after a three-fight successful streak, towards a champion who has established himself amongst Europe’s elite finishers.
Ion “Dracula” Surdu
The 30-year-old from Moldova Surdu owns a 16-7 document with 11 knockout victories, the bulk coming within the opening spherical. Since becoming a member of Oktagon, he has defeated David Kozma by way of first-round knockout, completed Alex Lohore within the opening spherical, and captured the welterweight title following a first-round knockout victory towards a British opponent by way of excessive kick. His profession has been constructed on hanging excellence, as 13 of his wins got here by end. The one exception to his latest success was a unanimous resolution loss to Krzysztof Jotko at Oktagon 70 in April 2025 when he stepped as much as middleweight competitors.
Andrej “Vagabond” Kalašnik
Kalašnik arrives because the challenger after demonstrating enchancment in his latest performances. The 188cm Czech striker holds a 13-5 document with six knockouts. He earned the title alternative by defeating three consecutive opponents with various outcomes. His most spectacular latest victory got here towards Máté Kertész, whom he knocked out in underneath two minutes at Oktagon 70 with a rear hand strike. Previous to that, he defeated Ioannis Palaiologos by way of unanimous resolution and completed Liam Etebar in simply 43 seconds within the opening spherical. Nevertheless, Kalašnik’s profession consists of setbacks, together with a first-round knockout loss to Niklas Stolze in November 2023.
Oktagon 79
Surdu has been a one-sided finisher, whereas Kalašnik has proven growth as a whole fighter. Kalašnik’s document displays the next proportion of resolution victories at 44 p.c in comparison with Surdu’s 19 p.c, suggesting completely different approaches to competitors. Kalašnik has additionally confronted setbacks that pressured him to rebuild momentum, whereas Surdu’s solely latest loss got here in a middleweight experiment towards an skilled UFC veteran.
The placement carries significance for this matchup. Brno has hosted 16 earlier Oktagon occasions and serves as Kalašnik’s hometown, the place he trains at Jetsaam Fitness center. The fighter has spoken about viewing this chance as his likelihood to ship one thing to the Czech Republic after spending six years constructing his profession in Oktagon. The Profitable Group Area is predicted to supply substantial crowd assist for the native challenger.
From a historic perspective, each fighters occupied the identical card twice earlier than with out crossing paths. Kalašnik competed at Oktagon 40 in March 2023 and Oktagon 70 in April 2025, occasions the place Surdu additionally appeared, although they by no means confronted one another till this title alternative. The development of each careers has naturally led to this intersection on the championship degree.
The belt itself carries weight inside European MMA circles. Surdu has acknowledged that the Oktagon welterweight title represents the best achievement within the sport to him, drawing comparability to a World Cup in soccer. Kalašnik has mirrored this sentiment, talking in regards to the alternative as fulfilling a childhood dream to compete on the championship degree together with his household and hometown followers current.
The five-round title combat format presents the first tactical consideration. Surdu has constructed his fame on explosive early offense, with 11 of 16 wins ending within the opening spherical. Kalašnik’s improved conditioning and decision-making potential will decide whether or not he can survive the opening rounds and implement his personal offensive sport plan later within the contest. Each fighters have indicated they anticipate a end quite than a factors resolution, suggesting they anticipate an action-oriented affair.
