Will Fleury is about to defend his heavyweight title in opposition to 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 latest experiences in opposition to 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 by way of a unanimous choice win over Lazar Todev. With an general skilled document of 15 wins, 3 losses, and 1 no contest, Fleury has demonstrated versatility and ability with victories coming via submissions, knockouts, and choices.
His climb in OKTAGON contains wins over Daniel Škvor and Pavol Langer earlier in 2024, displaying his capability to complete fights convincingly throughout weight courses. Defending his heavyweight belt at OKTAGON 81 will likely be an important milestone in solidifying his standing on the elite stage of worldwide MMA competitors.
His challenger, Buday, a Slovakian heavyweight, was a former OKTAGON heavyweight champion earlier than shifting to the UFC, the place he compiled a notable 7-1 document. His UFC victories embrace wins over former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski and Brazilian jiu-jitsu professional 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 contains this bout in opposition to 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 high heavyweights within the sport.
OKTAGON 81 is anticipated to be a landmark occasion for the promotion. Alongside the heavyweight title battle, 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 can contribute to a charged environment 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 battle nights in its historical past.
The matchup presents a stylistic contrast: Fleury’s combination of wrestling base and striking against Buday’s heavyweight experience from competing at the highest levels, including top-tier UFC opponents. Fleury’s camp emphasizes his adaptability and recent dominance in both light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, while Buday’s team highlights his record and recent win streak prior to his UFC release. The contest is positioned as a pivotal moment for both fighters — Fleury aiming to cement a legacy with his first defense, and Buday seeking redemption and reaffirmation of his place among the elite.
