OKTAGON founders insist they're working on Shem Rock vs Ivan Buchinger fight in Liverpool

Liverpudlian Shem Rock has won his last 3 fights, all via first-round submission, and Rock has called for a shot at a main event.

OKTAGON MMA co-owner, Pavol Neruda has hinted that Liverpudlian star Shem Rock could fight in front of a home crowd in the not-too-distant future but insists any event in Liverpool 'will not be easy' to arrange.

In his last outing, Rock silenced the home crowd, submitting bitter rival Joroslav Pokorny in front of 28,000 fans at Prague’s Eden Stadium. This saw Rock move to a three-fight win streak, all by first-round rear-naked chokes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The divisive character has been making waves at OKTAGON MMA – Europe’s biggest MMA promotion – and is edging closer towards a main event slot.

Shem Rock silenced the home crowd in Prague, as he submitted bitter rival, Joroslav PokornyShem Rock silenced the home crowd in Prague, as he submitted bitter rival, Joroslav Pokorny
Shem Rock silenced the home crowd in Prague, as he submitted bitter rival, Joroslav Pokorny

After calling out Slovak Ivan Buchinger, could that showcase fight possibly take place in Liverpool? While Neruda insisted it was something that he and the organisation would like to see happen, he was also realistic about the prospect of Rock competing in front of a home crowd.

"We would absolutely love to see Buchi fight Shem Rock in Liverpool," Neruda admitted at the OKTAGON 59 post-fight press conference. "But it will not be easy to make it happen. We have been trying to but unfortunately, it’s still prohibited in Liverpool right now.

"Perhaps we can make it happen somewhere else or try and get Shem to negotiate with the city.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Either way, an event in England involving Shem is very much in our heads and we will work to make it happen."

Liverpudlian MMA star Shem RockLiverpudlian MMA star Shem Rock
Liverpudlian MMA star Shem Rock

On the topic of fighting in Liverpool, Rock had previously gone on record to outline his keenness.

He claimed in June: "My bucket list fight is to main event in Liverpool. I know me versus anyone else in Liverpool, I will sell it out - 100%. It would be like the old Paddy 'The Baddy' days at the Echo Arena, d'you know what I mean?

"Obviously, it's hard to get good arenas in Liverpool now. M&S Bank [Arena] don't really wanna do MMA, so I'm looking to be the bad guy for now and fight away in enemy territory. But if the opportunity does arise to fight in Liverpool on a big card, I'm there for it, lad. That's what I want the most."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

OKTAGON MMA has proven itself on the European MMA scene, with high-level production value combined with competitive and engaging match-making helping them become one of the leading MMA promotions in the world. They recently made the 5-promotion shortlist for MMA promotion of the year.

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice