Liverpool’s Shem Rock, ranked #6 will make his OKTAGON return on a bumper fight card at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena at OKTAGON 56 on 20.04.2024.
Rock (9-1-1) will fight Stefano Catacoli (7-1) ranked #7, on a card headlined by the rearranged €1million Tipsport Gamechanger 2 tournament bout between Akonne Wanliss and Sahil Siraj.
The 30-year-old returns to action following a win over Jan Malach in July of 2023 at a catchweight of 68kg against Catacoli, 25, who is riding a three-fight win streak having made his OKTAGON debut in December.
The Next Generation MMA student, who has re-signed with OKTAGON on a new deal, has seven submission victories to his name but arguably faces his toughest opponent yet in the form of Catacoli who has also only lost once professionally.
The card also includes viral sensation Dennis Frimpong as well as former footballer Aaron Aby, lightweight George Staines and light heavyweight Will Fleury, middleweight veteran Mick Stanton and exciting flyweight Megan Morris.
The event marks OKTAGON return to the UK following the success of OKTAGON 48 in November of 2023 which took place at Manchester’s AO Arena and OKTAGON 52 at Utilita Arena in Newcastle.
The card marks the return of OKTAGON to UK shores with four events planned in 2024 as the European promotion continues to makes waves.
“We are so pleased to be bringing Oktagon MMA to the UK,” Pavol Neruda, co-founder of Oktagon MMA, said of the expansion.
“This is testament to the incredible work of the whole Oktagon MMA family, from our staff to our amazing fighters, and we know that we will offer UK fans something different from what they are used to.”
To purchase tickets to OKTAGON 48, visit https://www.theticketfactory.com/tickets/events/oktagon-56-mma-tickets/
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.