Oktagon MMA explained – and why betting on these fights is worth it
Oktagon MMA is definitely changing the European entertainment experience. Just last year (2024), over 200,000 fans showed up to support their favorite fighters at all Oktagon events. This organization, founded in 2016, has clearly captured the attention of European combat sports fans and increasingly global supporters.
Their events sell out arenas in Prague, Bratislava and Frankfurt. The social media clips? Viral gold. Recent approximations show that the organization sold out three major football stadiums in a single calendar year, setting a new global record for MMA crowd attendance.
And with this popularity, another group of people is paying attention: sports bettors. Of course, betting on mixed martial arts is not new when you look at it from a global perspective. According to Verified Market Reports, the global market has already hit $1.5 billion and could reach $3.2 billion by 2033.
Betting as an extra entertainment form
Many sports fans often want to show their support beyond just attending the events physically or streaming from a distance. And this is where things like betting come into play. Thankfully, sportsbooks have realized this need and are integrating various betting options to cater to this preference. When it comes to Oktagon MMA, things are no different. There are many online platforms where you can now place wagers on different outcomes with just a few taps on your mobile phone.
And mark you: almost every bettor wants to have successful outcomes. This causes you to study the sport in ways you might not otherwise. You start breaking down fighters’ styles and noticing weaknesses, which deepens your connection with the action even more. But again, bettors, including Oktagon MMA supporters, do not have similar preferences.
Some may want to use the method of victory approach, betting on how a fighter wins. Others may prefer round betting, where you predict whether the fight will end in Round 1 or go the distance. Still, there are those who may want to go for tactics like over/under rounds and parlays. Catering to all these preferences allows sportsbooks to reach multiple audiences, explaining why betting on this sport is becoming popular.
Unpredictability and the thrill of live betting
Like many other promotions, Oktagon MMA has a considerable number of young, up-and-coming fighters, like Raphael Federico and Matěj Peňáz. This means there could be less data on tendencies, making for wild upsets and juicy odds.
Unexpected outcomes when certain fighters are engaging also make combat sports appealing. Take the Adam Palasz Vs Kasim Aras match, for instance. Who would have thought Aras would demolish Palasz in the first round? After a perfectly aimed hook to the chin, this Turkish fighter left his Polish opponent struggling to get back up.
Another example is the No Contest at OKTAGON 64, where an illegal knee from Poppeck led to Strzelczyk refusing to continue, highlighting how quickly things can change in a fight. For live bettors, this unpredictability is a thing. One minute a fighter is cruising with clean jabs, the next they’re eating a head kick and wobbling. The resulting concoction of emotions leaves you more engaged and wanting to return for more.
More reasons for this promotion’s popularity
Another reason for Oktagon MMA’s growing appeal is the stories of some fighters like Kerim Engizek. Can you believe that, for ten years, Kerim had to struggle for survival at an orphanage after being separated from his mother’s care?
It wasn’t until he was 17 that things started to change. His brother took him to a boxing training session, which laid a good foundation for his career today. Such stories can be inspiring, keeping fans more connected with their favorite athletes.
Key moments like when Kaik Brito faced off Joilton Lutterbach have also helped shape this sport’s history. While fans had huge expectations for both athletes, only one could emerge as the winner. And that was Brito, who demolished Lutterbach with a well-timed hook in less than two minutes.
The power of event production and marketing
Oktagon MMA has distinguished itself by adopting a model similar to the NFL and Super Bowl, elevating its event production beyond typical MMA events. Here are some of the things you may have noticed:
- Spectacular staging to improve visual appeal
- Dynamic light shows to create a captivating atmosphere during performances
- Theatrical fighter entrances
- Live musical performances to blur the lines between sports and entertainment
To further its hold on the European market, the promotion has been taking advantage of strategic media partnerships and engaging content. Collaborating with RTL, for instance, has boosted its visibility and viewership in the DACH population. With RTL reaching over 10 million people in the first half of 2025 alone, you can imagine the number of people likely to watch the promotion when broadcast. Unique events like the Tipsport Gamechanger tournament have also helped build the brand.
At this point, you shouldn’t be shocked that Oktagon MMA is quickly dominating the European market. Betting alone gives fans an extra opportunity to enjoy the entertainment, keeping them more connected to the sport. This is without mentioning the sport’s unpredictability, which can result in a concoction of emotions. And by partnering with media stations that draw millions of people, Oktagon MMA increases the likelihood of reaching more followers, explaining why it could be here to stay.
