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Engizek Secures Unanimous Decision Victory in Brutal OKTAGON Semifinal German-Turkish middleweight Kerim Engizek has advanced to the final of the Tipsport Gamechanger tournament, defeating the highly-touted Dominik Humburger in a contest described by commentators as one of the most intense “Kampf” (battles) in the promotion’s history. Kerim Engizek, the reigning OKTAGON middleweight champion, successfully navigated the punishing semi-final bracket at OKTAGON 77 in Bratislava, Slovakia, on 4 October 2025. Facing the Czech prospect Dominik Humburger, Engizek secured a hard-fought unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds of relentless, high-paced action. The victory was far from routine, testing the champion’s resilience and tactical discipline in a contest where both fighters suffered significant damage. This win positions Engizek to compete for the tournament’s €300,000 grand prize in the highly anticipated final later this year. The match-up, which headlined the OKTAGON 77 card, was billed as a pivotal moment for the promotion's middleweight division, matching Engizek's extensive experience and knockout power against Humburger's aggressive, surging momentum. The bout immediately lived up to its billing, quickly devolving into a fiercely contested struggle that resonated with the German meaning of the word Kampf. Engizek, who entered the contest with a commanding professional record (24 wins, 4 losses), was tested severely in the opening round. Humburger applied significant pressure, effectively disrupting the champion’s rhythm and landing heavy strikes that reportedly resulted in a broken nose for Engizek early in the bout.
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Showing the poise of a veteran, Engizek absorbed the damage and managed to stabilise his position, countering the attack with calculated efficiency. The second and third rounds saw a critical shift in momentum. Engizek, adapting to the trauma and the challenger's style, began to assert control, utilising his seasoned boxing pedigree and superior conditioning. He notably dropped Humburger on multiple occasions in the later stages of the fight, demonstrating why 20 of his professional victories have come via stoppage. Despite Humburger's continued forward march, the champion’s final surge of activity and effective striking in the third frame proved decisive on the judges’ scorecards. Speaking after the gruelling match, Engizek maintained his characteristic focus, emphasising his systematic approach to tournament fighting. “In a tournament, you work step by step toward a bigger goal,” he stated in a post-fight interview. “Every win matters because it brings you closer to the final, but for me, each fight is still an individual step that I approach with full focus, even though the overall situation is obviously a special one. ” This disciplined mindset is credited by analysts as key to his ability to overcome significant mid-fight adversity, like the facial injury sustained in the opening round.
The Tipsport Gamechanger tournament is considered the richest and most prestigious competition in European mixed martial arts, featuring a total prize fund of €1 million ($1. 07 million, £860,000). The tournament structure has elevated the stakes of every fight, turning the quarter- and semi-finals into essential fixtures for the continent's top talent. The financial reward represents a career-defining opportunity, placing immense pressure on the finalists. Engizek’s background as a fighter has long been defined by resilience. Hailing from Düsseldorf, the German-Turkish athlete built his early career in boxing, competing for the prestigious Bayer Leverkusen club before transitioning to mixed martial arts. He famously went undefeated for nearly nine years, capturing titles in multiple German promotions before ascending to the OKTAGON championship. His journey, which includes overcoming significant personal challenges in his youth, has cultivated a reputation for unflappable toughness and aggressive durability inside the cage. “Engizek is not just a powerful striker; he is a mature, well-rounded middleweight who understands pacing and managing damage,” commented MMA analyst and former fighter, Jonas Müller.
“What was most impressive in this ‘kampf’ with Humburger was his ability to adapt after suffering a major injury early on. He used his pressure grappling and counter-punching to slow the pace just enough, then turned the pressure back up when it mattered. That composure under fire is the hallmark of a true champion and a major reason why his 14-fight winning streak remains intact. ” Engizek's opponent in the final will be Polish veteran and former UFC competitor, Krzysztof Jotko. Jotko secured his own place in the final with a tactical unanimous decision victory over Hojat Khajevand in the evening's other middleweight semi-final. The final is set to be a classic clash of styles: Engizek's aggressive, forward-moving striking versus Jotko's cage control and experience-driven tactical approach. Looking ahead to the final, currently slated for December, the narrative surrounding the kerim-engizek-kampf shifts from survival to supremacy. Engizek will attempt to consolidate his position as the premier middleweight in Europe by defeating a credentialled international opponent and claiming the lucrative tournament title, marking the pinnacle of his decade-long journey in the sport. The anticipation for the final match-up is expected to draw a record audience, underscoring the growing prominence of European MMA on the global stage.
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