Raul Lemberanskij heads into OKTAGON 85 in Hamburg this weekend as one of many leaders of Germany’s new bantamweight wave, an unbeaten 23‑12 months‑previous with a rising profile at residence and throughout Europe. Combating out of MMA Spirit in Frankfurt, he brings an 8–0 skilled file at 135 kilos and a measured, technical type that has translated properly from the German regional scene to a serious European promotion.
Born 13 April 2002, Lemberanskij competes at bantamweight round 61 kg and stands about 166 cm. He grew up on the mats with a father who was knowledgeable judo fighter, and was first taken to MMA Spirit as an chubby child who was informed to start out on the stepper earlier than he regularly joined coaching. That early story nonetheless shapes how he talks concerning the sport.
“I grew up on the mats. My father was knowledgeable judo fighter. He went to the MMA Spirit health club in Frankfurt and took me with him as a result of I used to be a fats child. He stated, ‘Go on the stepper and lose some weight.’ After a while I took his place.”
He turned skilled in 2022 after a brief novice run and started stacking wins throughout promotions like EMC Skills, We Love MMA and NFC. Early victories included submissions over Fatih Keyfli and Habibullah Noori through rear‑bare choke and choices over Nikodem Miastkowski and Khasan Mirkhojaev, establishing him as a dependable three‑spherical fighter.
A TKO through opponent retirement towards Filip Maric at NFC 16 and additional determination wins over Ahmad Abbas and Stephan Gueida underlined his consistency on the German circuit, earlier than a transfer into OKTAGON in 2025 and a debut in Frankfurt towards veteran Jose Zarauz.
Raul Lemberanskij At Oktagon 85
Now he prepares for his largest spotlight up to now: a conflict of undefeated Germans towards Ali Gündüz (6–0) on the principle card of OKTAGON 85 on March 7, 2026. The bout sits on the identical occasion because the bantamweight title struggle, which he views as an opportunity to win, quiet down, then watch from cageside to see who may be subsequent.
“The preparation was good and I’m excited to struggle subsequent week. I can’t wait anymore. I’m hyped.”
In that very same dialog he framed OKTAGON 85 as each a private milestone and an opportunity to measure himself towards the division’s summit.
“I’m comfortable that I’m combating on this card, as a result of then I can instantly see what’s subsequent for me. I’m excited to see who’s successful the struggle and who I possibly struggle subsequent.”
Lemberanskij credit lengthy‑time Bellator contender Daniel Weichel, one other MMA Spirit mainstay, as his first massive inspiration, remembering how he used to get up early to observe Weichel’s US fights and now has him in his nook for camps. He additionally sees himself as a part of a brand new period for German MMA, evaluating the present panorama with the times when the game barely registered within the nation.
“MMA in Germany has grown quite a bit. Earlier than it was not like this and now everyone watches MMA. After I go exterior, individuals come to me and discuss to me about MMA. 5, seven years in the past it was not like this. We’re in the fitting time proper now.”
That sense of timing feeds into his personal ambition. He talks about his profession in easy, direct phrases: a childhood promise he’s now making an attempt to money in on underneath the lights.
“I at all times stated I needed to be knowledgeable MMA fighter. Now’s the time the place I can show it and present the individuals round me, and present the world what we will do once we suppose massive.”
