yesterday 09:35
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He fought for the Octagon title in two weight categories. He was unsuccessful against David Kozma or Patrik Kincl. Former interim middleweight champion and Challenge winner Samuel “The Pirate” Krištofič believes the third assault on the belt will be successful.
Before that, he must defeat at least Czech Zdenek Polívka at the Oktagon 36 tournament in Frankfurt on 15 October. He talks about it too SPORT.sk 33-year-old Slovak fighter with a 15-4 record.
VIDEO: Kristofic’s latest MMA fight for the Octagon middleweight title against Kincl:
Soon to the title
Eight months later losing the game for the title against Kincl go back to the cage against Polivek. What’s the challenge?
“He’s a young and ambitious guy. He’s in progress, he invents something new in every game. Since I’m number three and he’s number four (in the Octagon middleweight rankings), it’s entirely possible that the winner will be able to win. win the title in the next match “.
Polívka challenged you in a sporty way, without unnecessary circus. You prefer it like this or when it is spicier than with Karlos Vémol?
“It depends on who he acts like. We have a good relationship with Zdenko, there is no reason to force hate speech just because we have a match.” Meloun “(Miloš Petrášek, the latest opponent in boxing) has it done forcefully, falsely, and at the end of the day it just hurt him. ”
Is it more difficult to get excited about a match when it is not preceded by verbal exchanges?
“The motivation should be something other than physically demolishing the opponent for what he said before the game. My motivation is, first of all, the opportunity to get close to the title as soon as possible.”
Why did you choose the Octagon over Bellator and RFA?
You haven’t answered Polívka’s call for a long time, because you didn’t have a contract with Oktagon. From which organizations have you received offers?
“Bellatore, PFL, RFA.”
Why did you prefer Octagon?
“Bellator sent me on ‘short notice’ (last minute fight) and also in light heavyweights. This was not relevant to me and the other offers were not particularly interesting. Oktagon is one of the strongest organizations in Europe, I have a varied past there, I feel good there and we have also found a compromise in the financial conditions. We have agreed on six meetings, with the knowledge that in the event of an offer from the UFC or Bellator, I can leave. ”
You’ve been quoting Bellator for a long time, do you see him as the number two in the world after the UFC?
“Yes. If an interesting offer comes along, I would love to fight there. Even on” short notice “, if they offer good money and I will be fit. But I don’t need to force it.”
What is “real money”? What does Bellator offer compared to Octagon or RFA?
“Bellator approached me on ‘short notice’ twice. The first time he offered a lot more than me in Octagon, the second time it was less. It depends on the opponent and other factors. RFA offered me money similar to Oktagon’s, maybe 10-15% more, but Oktagon is a brand, it has power and I’m much more connected to it. ”
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Vémola after the visit to RFA: dubious organization, in two years it will not be there. RFA responds
You have negotiated with RFA, does it have future potential?
“I can’t see in their kitchen and I don’t know what they’re planning. I’m sure after the tournaments so far, they have to be in a significant deficit and they certainly won’t enjoy subsidizing them indefinitely. People may have developed an indefinite. aversion to them for no reason and more or less ignoring their tournaments. It is entirely possible that the RFA will not last. ”
Is RFA wrong or is there no room on the Czech-Slovakian market for two organizations that want to compete?
“Rather, it’s the power of Ondro (Novotný, the promoter), Oktagon and opinion forming. They managed to get people to have RFA for a second XFN.
Samuel Krištofič after winning the interim middleweight title in the Octagon.
Source: Oktagon MMA
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Octagon is expanding overseas, where would you currently place it in the imaginary ranking of world organizations?
“I would place him in the TOP 5 right now. UFC, Bellator, KSW, PFL and Octagon.”
How about ONE Championship, ACA or Rizin?
“They do some tournaments, but I have no information about them.”
Vemola? I want the title, I don’t take it personally
Kincl, who won the title against you after a 25 minute fight, in first defense he eliminated Frenchman Alex Lohoré in the 1st round in 1:54. What do you think of his performance?
“Kincl overtook him. He is intelligent, he took a high kick, with which he decided. ”
How would you beat him in a rematch?
“I should improve my defense against takedowns and keep the best distance, I had no problems with my position.”
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After the match, Kincl threw himself into Krištofič: below the level, dishonorable. Should not…
How about Kincl’s most likely challenger Vémolu, who broke into the cage after the game?
“It was all weird, what else can I say?”
According to Kincl, Vémola was just embarrassed. Do you identify with him or was it okay as part of the match promotion?
“On the one hand it was so … embarrassing, but it is talked about and talked about, and it also has advantages for the interest in their game. Karlos has been doing theater with himself since he was on our stage, so I don’t it’s surprising. Apparently it’s worth it to him, so he does it. ”
Your match with Vémol has been in the air for years. Do you want to close it or are you not fixated on the match?
“I am focusing on winning the title and it is entirely possible that he will be the champion at the end of the year. But I don’t take it personally against Karlos.”
