OKTAGON co-founder Pavol Neruda says the promotion believes in “second chances” after signing Igor Severino following his UFC exit.
The Story
OKTAGON co-founder Pavol Neruda says the promotion still believes in “second chances” after signing Igor Severino following the bantamweight’s controversial UFC exit, a decision Neruda argues has paid off ahead of Severino’s title defence at OKTAGON 97.
Severino, nicknamed “The Hannibal,” will defend his bantamweight title against undefeated featherweight Max Holzer (12-0) in a matchup Neruda described as one OKTAGON fans want to see. Neruda said the signing was made after a “unique” situation and that the promotion “believe[d] in second chances,” adding, “That was a chance where he was free on the market and we jumped on this opportunity because we believed that it was a one of a kind situation that happened with his last fight in the UFC and I think it was true.”
Neruda said his view was reinforced by Severino’s conduct since joining OKTAGON, saying, “We were right. He’s super nice and a polite guy since then.”
The UFC exit referenced by Neruda came in 2024, when Severino bit Andre Lima during their fight and was subsequently cut from the UFC roster, a loss described as the lone setback on Severino’s professional record at the time of the OKTAGON debut.
According to the same account, Severino’s record improved to 10-1 after his UFC departure, and the promotion matched him at OKTAGON 97 against Holzer, whom Neruda said is among the most talented young fighters on the roster.
The status of any future UFC opportunity for Severino remains unclear in the provided reporting, but Neruda pointed to the importance of matchups with something at stake, saying, “I’m also a fan and I have the same feelings. I’m super excited about this fight and we love to put these kinds of matchups together when there is so much at stake.”
← More stories