Bolton fighter, Jack Cartwright, will fight for the vacant OKTAGON MMA bantamweight title on April 26 against former UFC fighter, Igor Severino, in Czechia.
For the first time since June last year, a bantamweight champion will be crowned at OKTAGON 70 as Europe’s leading promotion takes over a brand-new Czech city in Karlovy Vary.
Controversial former UFC athlete, Igor Severino (9-1), will throw down with exciting Boltonian, Jack Cartwright (12-2) as part of what promises to be an absolutely stacked lineup.
And Cartwright cannot wait to get back in action.
He said: “‘I’m looking forward to the fight.
“It’s going to be high-paced with both fighters throwing heavy punches, looking for the finish at all times.
“I’m looking forward to fighting someone who is going to come forward and try to finish me because I believe that’s going to create a really exciting fight with lots of finishing potential.
“I’m sure that I’m going to go out there and get the finish and prove that I’m the best in the division.
“I’ve not fought to my potential in some of my recent fights so I look forward to going out there and reminding people what I’m capable of, building up some momentum and putting Severino away.”
Severino made headlines worldwide when he got released from the UFC for biting his opponent during a contest last year.
The 21-year-old, who then adopted the nickname ‘Hannibal Lecter’, was given a second chance by OKTAGON MMA and was booked opposite former bantamweight champion, Jonas Mågård, in his promotional debut.
Severino’s world-class talent was clear for everyone to see when he defeated ‘Shark’ by decision in an action-packed showdown.
During his post-fight interview, the Brazilian called for a title shot saying he would smash anyone who got in his way.
On April 26, he gets the chance to back up those words and prove he rules the division.
But it will not be straightforward. Former Cage Warriors belt holder, Cartwright, made an emphatic statement in his OKTAGON MMA debut back in November 2023 when he submitted Júnior Assis just over two minutes into their bout.
That earned the 30-year-old a main event slot in Newcastle against Mågård, but Cartwright was on the wrong end of a decision loss.
However, he rebounded in impressive fashion last time out in September by getting his hand raised over Mate Sanikidze, who was once touted as one of the best prospects on the continent.
Opportunities to claim gold on Europe’s biggest stage don’t come around very often so Cartwright is ready to clinch victory by any means necessary.
The card in Karlovy Vary also features the final fights in the €1m Tipsport Gamechanger middleweight tournament opening round. Current welterweight champion, Ion Surdu, steps up a weight class to take on new signing, Krzysztof Jotko, and knockout artist, Vlasto Čepo, clashes with Austria’s Erhan Kartal as part of the 16-man field.
‘Pirát’ Krištofič returns to competition in the European MMA Champions League opposite a yet to be announced ‘wildcard’.
