Will Fleury is about to defend his heavyweight title towards Martin Buday at OKTAGON 81, scheduled for December 28, 2025, on the O2 Enviornment in Prague. This bout represents Fleury’s first title protection and carries vital weight because it pits two champions with contrasting current experiences towards one another in entrance of an anticipated crowd of 20,000 followers.
OKTAGON 81 Set for Heavyweight Championship Conflict: Will Fleury vs. Martin Buday in Prague
Fleury, an Irish fighter competing out of SBG Eire, has surged to prominence in OKTAGON MMA over the previous two years. After debuting within the promotion in April 2024, Fleury shortly secured the sunshine heavyweight championship by defeating seasoned veteran Karlos Vémola in December 2024.
He didn’t cease there, capturing the vacant heavyweight title in March 2025 through a unanimous choice win over Lazar Todev. With an general skilled report of 15 wins, 3 losses, and 1 no contest, Fleury has demonstrated versatility and ability with victories coming by means of submissions, knockouts, and choices.
His climb in OKTAGON consists of wins over Daniel Škvor and Pavol Langer earlier in 2024, displaying his means to complete fights convincingly throughout weight courses. Defending his heavyweight belt at OKTAGON 81 can be a vital milestone in solidifying his standing on the elite degree of worldwide MMA competitors.
His challenger, Buday, a Slovakian heavyweight, was a former OKTAGON heavyweight champion earlier than transferring to the UFC, the place he compiled a notable 7-1 report. His UFC victories embrace wins over former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski and Brazilian jiu-jitsu knowledgeable Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida.
Regardless of this success, Buday’s contract was not renewed by UFC in mid-2025, a call confirmed by the fighter himself. Buday re-signed with OKTAGON shortly thereafter, setting the stage for a return to the group the place he first gained prominence. His present contract with OKTAGON consists of this bout towards Fleury, providing Buday a direct alternative to reclaim the title he by no means misplaced within the cage and reassert his standing as one of many prime heavyweights within the sport.
OKTAGON 81 is anticipated to be a landmark occasion for the promotion. Alongside the heavyweight title struggle, the cardboard already incorporates a flyweight title conflict between Zhalgas Zhumagulov and David Dvořák, a grudge match involving Patrik Kincl and Robert Pukač, and a welterweight bout between Kaik Brito and Amiran Gogoladze. The occasion’s location, Prague’s O2 Enviornment, is understood for internet hosting large-scale MMA occasions, able to holding a sellout crowd that may contribute to a charged ambiance for the fighters and followers alike. The promotion is anticipated to announce additional fights on the cardboard because the occasion approaches, aiming to ship one of many strongest year-end struggle nights in its historical past.
The matchup presents a stylistic distinction: Fleury’s mixture of wrestling base and placing towards Buday’s heavyweight expertise from competing on the highest ranges, together with top-tier UFC opponents. Fleury’s camp emphasizes his adaptability and up to date dominance in each mild heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, whereas Buday’s group highlights his report and up to date win streak previous to his UFC launch. The competition is positioned as a pivotal second for each fighters — Fleury aiming to cement a legacy together with his first protection, and Buday in search of redemption and reaffirmation of his place among the many elite.
