Igor Severino has solidified his position as the Oktagon MMA bantamweight champion, decisively defeating Khurshed Kakhorov at Oktagon 85 on March 7th. Reflecting on his victory and current state, Severino shared his thoughts:
“I’m feeling great; everything is fine. Since I sustained no injuries, I only took a week off. We’ve already resumed training, and I anticipate some fight announcements soon.”
Just weeks after his championship triumph, Severino was queried about potential details regarding his initial title defense.
“They’ve provided a potential date, and if things align, I’ll be signing the contract shortly. I’ve expressed my desire to be a very active champion, so I intend to collaborate with them and fight as frequently as possible.”
The fight’s outcome somewhat surprised Severino himself. Despite his thorough preparation, the Brazilian fighter had braced for a five-round battle, only to secure an early second-round finish. Discussing the intricacies of his bout with Kakhorov, Severino commented:
“It was a fantastic performance. I was aware of his dangerous striking and the need for cautious defense. However, I also knew my own strengths. Overall, I believe it was a perfect display. I successfully imposed my strategy on Khurshed Kakhorov and secured the finish. I expected a tough opponent, but our excellent preparation was evident in the fight.”
Igor Severino Keen on Clash with Flyweight Champ Amid Active Title Run
A recent post on Oktagon MMA’s X account highlighted their flyweight champion, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, who expressed interest in moving up to challenge Severino for the bantamweight title. When questioned about Oktagon’s potential discussions for a superfight against Zhumagulov, Igor Severino responded:
“That fight is definitely on my radar. Zhumagulov is an excellent champion with a strong resume and has successfully defended his belt. It appears Oktagon also has an interest in this bout, given their promotion of it. From my perspective, if they offer the fight, it’s already accepted. I would be honored and thrilled to take this fight, especially considering his impressive record and skill set.”
“Ultimately, whoever Oktagon selects as my opponent, I’m ready. As a champion, I must defend my belt to make history. My goal is to defend it numerous times, and I’ll be prepared for whoever they deem the deserving challenger.”
As the interview concluded, Igor Severino shared his final thoughts:
“I am extremely pleased with how things are progressing in my life. My main desire is to fight more, be highly active, and maintain momentum. Last year, four of my fights were canceled, so I aim to compensate for that this year. I’d love to compete three or four more times if Oktagon is willing. My passion is to fight more, earn more, stay active, and make history. At least three additional fights this year would be ideal, and I’m already training and hoping for it.”
