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

Will Fleury is set to compete in hostile territory once more, this time in Berlin, aiming to defend two championship titles.

OKTAGON MMA is making its inaugural appearance in the German capital with OKTAGON 90, scheduled for Saturday, June 20, at the Uber Arena. This event is 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 impressive lineups the organization has presented in Germany, headlined by the double champion Will Fleury as he defends his heavyweight belt against local challenger Kasim Aras.

Will Fleury faces Kasim Aras for heavyweight title defense at OKTAGON 90 in Berlin

Fleury, who also holds the light heavyweight championship, enters the Berlin event on the heels of a career-defining victory. In December, he secured a rapid first-round knockout against former UFC heavyweight Martin Buday, successfully defending his title. This decisive win propelled him into the spotlight, with Irish media and European MMA outlets recognizing him as one of OKTAGON's standout champions.

Following this impressive performance, Fleury received offers from various international promotions. However, he opted to re-sign with OKTAGON, committing to a new six-fight contract. He has expressed a desire to build a lasting legacy with the organization rather than pursue fleeting opportunities. His upcoming bout in Berlin represents the first step in this new contract, taking place on enemy soil against an opponent who has actively sought this matchup.

Aras enters the contest as one of the few heavyweights who publicly campaigned for a shot at Fleury. A former LFL champion and Bellator veteran, Aras boasts a professional record of 11 wins and 5 losses. He quickly made his mark in OKTAGON with a dominant debut in Hamburg at OKTAGON 73, where he defeated Adam Pałasz on the main card, significantly boosting his profile among the German audience.

His momentum continued with a victory over Simon Biyong at OKTAGON 78 in Cologne. Following this win, Aras used his post-fight interview to directly challenge the champion, a strategy that aligns with OKTAGON's approach of rewarding fighters who can generate excitement, especially in their home markets. For Aras, OKTAGON 90 presents the most significant opportunity of his career—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 a strong contingent of German talent. Rising bantamweight prospect Alina Dalaslan, an undefeated 25-year-old from Germany with a 4-0 professional record, is slated to compete in Berlin. She is coming off impressive recent knockouts against Karolina Sobek and Kamila Simkova at OKTAGON 83.

Former featherweight title challenger Niko Samsonidse, who competed for the vacant belt against Mago Machaev at OKTAGON 83, is also expected to be featured on the card 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 anticipated to generate local interest, offering the German audience a blend of established fighters and emerging talent within the European rankings.

For Fleury, the challenge in Berlin is to defend his gold in an opponent's backyard. For Aras, it's a hometown opportunity to reshape the heavyweight division in a single night. Regardless of the outcome, OKTAGON's debut in the German capital is poised to be a pivotal moment in the promotion's efforts to establish Berlin as a regular destination on its European circuit.