Heavyweight UFC competitor secures signing with rival promotion and promptly earns a title fight against a two-time champion
Martin Buday, a pro MMA fighter with an impressive record of 16-2, has signed a multi-fight contract with Oktagon MMA, returning to the organisation where he initially rose to prominence. The Slovakian heavyweight is set to headline Oktagon 77 on October 4, 2025, at Tipos Arena in Bratislava, Slovakia, facing Oktagon heavyweight champion Will Fleury.
Buday's recent success in the UFC, including a third straight win over Marcus Buchecha in August 2025, was not enough to secure a re-signing by the UFC. Despite his strong 7-1 record in the promotion, Buday was cut from the UFC on July 30, 2022. The reasons for this surprising release are speculated to be UFC's strategic pullback from Europe and a focus on fresh talent from Dana White's Contender Series, from which Buday originally emerged.
Following his departure from the UFC, Buday received several offers from rival promotions. However, he chose to return to Oktagon MMA, where he had previously fought before joining the UFC in 2019. In his last fight under the Oktagon banner, Buday defeated Kamil Minda in 2021 to become the Oktagon heavyweight champion.
Fleury, the current Oktagon heavyweight champion, won the title in his third Oktagon bout last December and became the promotion's first-ever double champion in their heaviest divisions with a unanimous decision win over Lazar Todev in March. The Irishman, 36, is preparing for the toughest fight of his career against Buday. Fleury, inspired by Conor McGregor growing up, spoke with talkSPORT.com about his career and the upcoming challenge.
As of now, no official date has been announced for the fight between Buday and Fleury. However, it will mark Fleury's first title defense and Buday's aim to reclaim a major heavyweight title in this bout right after his UFC exit. The main event of Oktagon 77 is sure to be an exciting one for fans of MMA in Slovakia and beyond.
The manager of Martin Buday, the pro MMA fighter, is excited for his return to Oktagon MMA, a renowned sports organization in mixed-martial-arts, where Buday originally rose to prominence. As the UFC's recent strategic pullback from Europe and focus on new talent led to Buday's departure from the UFC, this upcoming fight against UFC is truly a significant victory in the UFC-Oktagon MMA rivalry.
