Mahmud Muradov Chases Two Belts: Will the 2020 Fight Be Revived?

Mahmud Muradov became OKTAGON MMA’s undisputed light heavyweight champion in Prague after stopping Will Fleury by TKO in the second round. But the Uzbek fighter did not simply celebrate his new belt after the victory—he named Poland’s Krzysztof Jotko as his next potential opponent.

This is more than a routine callout. Muradov is the interim middleweight champion, while Jotko is the division’s current undisputed champion. Most intriguingly, they were scheduled to fight in the UFC six years ago, but the bout never took place.

Fleury’s advantage disappeared in 15 seconds

OKTAGON 92 took place on August 1 on Štvanice Island in Prague, Czech Republic. Due to the time difference, the main fights in Uzbekistan fell in the early hours of August 2. Before the tournament, Fleury was regarded as the light heavyweight champion and one of OKTAGON’s most dangerous fighters.

In the first round, the Irish champion troubled Muradov with wrestling and pressure against the cage. But just 15 seconds into the second round, the Uzbek fighter landed a clean counter right hand.

After Fleury lost his balance and fell, Muradov continued with a barrage of strikes, forcing the referee to stop the bout. Fleury’s six-fight winning streak in OKTAGON ended, and the light heavyweight belt changed hands to Muradov.

The new champion’s first target is known

After the fight, Muradov expressed his desire to face reigning middleweight champion Krzysztof Jotko.

Sportingly, this matchup makes sense. There are currently two belt holders at middleweight:

Muradov is still listed as the interim middleweight champion on OKTAGON’s official website. Jotko, meanwhile, became the division’s new undisputed champion after defeating Kerim Engizek.

Therefore, a potential Muradov–Jotko fight could be a middleweight title-unification bout. However, the promotion has not officially announced the weight class, date, or venue.

This fight was supposed to happen back in 2020

The history between Muradov and Jotko is not new. They were scheduled to meet on October 31, 2020, at a UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas.

However, the Polish fighter suffered an injury during training camp and withdrew. Jotko said he had broken his toe and apologized to Muradov for pulling out shortly before the fight.

Muradov was then booked to face Kevin Holland. But that bout also fell through after the Uzbek fighter tested positive for COVID-19.

Thus, the storyline that began in 2020 was left unfinished:

1. A fight between Muradov and Jotko was scheduled.

2. Jotko withdrew because of an injury.

3. Kevin Holland became the replacement opponent.

4. Muradov tested positive for coronavirus.

5. The long-awaited clash was delayed by six years.

Now they could meet as champions in OKTAGON, one of Europe’s leading promotions, rather than in the UFC.

Jotko is also targeting a second belt

There is another factor that could make this potential fight even more intriguing. After becoming middleweight champion, Krzysztof Jotko previously expressed an interest in moving up to light heavyweight and competing for a second belt.

At that time, the light heavyweight belt belonged to Will Fleury. Now, that title is held by Mahmud Muradov.

This creates two possible scenarios:

Option one: Muradov moves back down in weight to face Jotko in a middleweight title-unification bout.

Option two: Jotko moves up to light heavyweight and challenges Muradov for his new belt.

By sporting logic, the first option is more natural. An interim champion usually faces the undisputed champion in a unification bout. However, Muradov’s new status at light heavyweight could give the promotion an opportunity to create an even bigger storyline.

A two-division challenge would not be easy for Muradov

If Muradov returns to middleweight after winning at light heavyweight, he will have to go through another weight cut. This could affect his physical condition, recovery, and preparation time.

Jotko, meanwhile, is an experienced fighter who moves more naturally at middleweight and relies on wrestling and control. He had 17 fights in the UFC, winning 11, and went on to become an OKTAGON champion. The promotion describes him as one of the most experienced fighters in his division.

A potential matchup would feature a clash of styles:

• Muradov uses distance and fast combinations;

• Jotko aims to limit his opponent’s movement and control the fight;

• Muradov possesses knockout power;

• Jotko is dangerous in long, tactical fights;

• both have extensive experience at UFC level.

Against Fleury, Muradov showed that he could remain calm under pressure and change the fight with one precise counter. Jotko may try to keep him against the cage and deny him the distance needed to land his strikes.

Fleury has not forgotten about a rematch either

The Irish fighter acknowledged Muradov’s skills after the defeat. He called the Uzbek athlete one of the most naturally gifted fighters in OKTAGON, but also said he would reclaim the belt in the future.

This means Muradov has at least three possible paths ahead:

If Muradov chooses Jotko, the defense of the light heavyweight title could be delayed for some time. Conversely, if he defends his new belt first, the interim middleweight championship issue will remain unresolved.

More than a fight: two champions settling the score

Muradov and Jotko were supposed to cross paths in 2020. Back then, they were two middleweights looking to climb the UFC rankings. Six years later, both have returned to Europe and won championship belts in the same promotion.

Muradov is now in a rare position:

• undisputed light heavyweight champion;

• interim middleweight champion;

• undefeated in OKTAGON;

• coming off a TKO victory.

Jotko, meanwhile, holds the undisputed middleweight title. If this fight is officially confirmed, it would be more than another bout—it would determine the division’s true champion and finally settle the unfinished business from 2020.

Do you think Muradov should fight Jotko at middleweight, or should he defend his light heavyweight belt first? Share your opinion in the comments and send the article to sports fans on Telegram or other social networks!