Will Fleury Defends Heavyweight Title Against Kasim Aras at OKTAGON 90 in Berlin

Will Fleury is set to compete in hostile territory once again, this time bringing his two championship belts and a determined mindset to Berlin.

OKTAGON MMA is scheduled to make its debut in Germany's capital with OKTAGON 90 at the Uber Arena on Saturday, June 20th. This event represents a significant milestone for the Czech-Slovak promotion, which has established itself as a prominent force in European MMA. The fight card is anticipated to be one of the most compelling lineups the organization has presented in Germany, with the main event featuring the double champion Will Fleury defending his heavyweight title against the hometown challenger, Kasim Aras.

Will Fleury Faces Kasim Aras for Heavyweight Championship at OKTAGON 90 in Berlin

Fleury, who also holds the light heavyweight championship, arrives in Berlin following a victory that could redefine his career. In December, he secured a swift first-round knockout against former UFC heavyweight Martin Buday, successfully defending his belt. This decisive win garnered significant attention from Irish media and the wider European MMA community, positioning him as one of OKTAGON's standout champions.

Following this impressive performance, Fleury received numerous offers from promotions globally. However, he opted to re-sign with OKTAGON, committing to a new six-fight contract. He has expressed a desire to build a long-term legacy with the organization rather than pursue short-term financial gains. His upcoming bout in Berlin marks the beginning of this new contract, and it takes place on enemy ground against an opponent who has actively sought this fight.

Aras enters the contest as one of the few heavyweights who publicly campaigned for a chance to face Fleury. The German fighter is a former LFL champion and a veteran of Bellator, boasting a professional record of 11 wins and 5 losses. He quickly made his mark in OKTAGON with a decisive debut in Hamburg at OKTAGON 73, where he defeated Adam Pałasz on the main card, significantly boosting his profile among German fans.

He followed this victory with a win over Simon Biyong at OKTAGON 78 in Cologne. Utilizing his post-fight interview time, Aras directly called out the champion. This approach aligns with OKTAGON's strategy of rewarding fighters who can effectively promote fights within their home markets. For Aras, OKTAGON 90 presents the most significant opportunity of his career, offering a chance to become the face of the promotion in Germany should he succeed in unseating the visiting champion.

The promotion is bolstering the event with strong German representation throughout the card. Rising bantamweight prospect Alina Dalaslan, an undefeated 25-year-old from Germany with a 4-0 professional record and recent knockout victories over Karolina Sobek and Kamila Simkova, is scheduled to compete in Berlin. This follows her breakout performance at OKTAGON 83.

Former featherweight title challenger Niko Samsonidse, who competed for the vacant belt against Mago Machaev at OKTAGON 83, is also slated for the event as he aims to rebound from his first-round knockout loss. Additionally, matchups such as Attila Korkmaz vs. Dawid Śmiełowski and Niklas Stolze vs. Tyrone Pfeifer are expected to generate local interest and provide the German audience with a blend of established fighters and rising stars in the European rankings.

For Fleury, the fight in Berlin is about defending his championship gold in an opponent's territory. For Aras, it represents a hometown opportunity to disrupt the heavyweight hierarchy in a single night. Regardless of the outcome, OKTAGON's inaugural trip to the German capital promises to be a pivotal moment in the promotion's efforts to establish Berlin as a regular fixture on its European circuit.