RESULTS OKTAGON 96: Gogoladze beats Ayari for vacant welterweight title

Jessin Ayari came within one clean follow-up of an upset. He took the title fight days before the event and dropped Amiran Gogoladze about a minute into round one. Gogoladze survived, got back to his feet in the fourth minute and then took over the fight.

Ayari, a 34-year-old German who fought in the UFC, was meant to meet Ion Surdu, then Kevin Pastran, before Felix Klinkhammer's injury moved him into the headliner. Klinkhammer said the injury came in ordinary training, not reckless sparring. Gogoladze, 28, had reacted angrily on X to opponents running from him in fight week, though he also wrote that he did not care who stood in front of him.

After the first round Ayari held back. He moved, kept his distance and worked with head movement, while Gogoladze won rounds two through four. According to MMA Fanatik Slovakia, Ayari also struggled with his left front leg from round three. Gogoladze entered round five up 3-1 on rounds, Ayari pushed the pace, and no finish came. Gogoladze won on the scorecards and became the new welterweight champion. He had already beaten Surdu in April, and the belt gives him a second signature win over a former champion's replacement-level turnaround.

The night was hit by attrition. Haqparast's injury cancelled his fight with Shawn da Silva, and OKTAGON named no new opponent for da Silva. Niko Samsonidse's injury led to Rene Runge stepping in against Gökhan Aksu at a 73 kg catchweight. Hafeni Nafuka missed weight and was replaced by Ronaldo Ferreira against Ivan Klevets, who won by decision.

In the co-feature, Ronald Paradeiser beat Tyrone Pfeifer. Pfeifer was quick in the stand-up early, but Paradeiser took the fight to the mat and controlled it.

For Gogoladze the next step is his first title defence, and OKTAGON has not named an opponent. The lightweight title is set to be decided next month between Mateusz Legierski and Ivan Buchinger, according to Pos-Luta.