Karlos Vemola Retires as Champion After Historic Victory at OKTAGON 58
Karlos Vemola retired after winning at OKTAGON 58, avenging his loss to Attila Vegh. His legacy in European MMA remains unmatched.
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A Night to Remember in Prague
OKTAGON MMA solidified its status as Europe's premier MMA promotion with an extraordinary event at Prague's Eden Arena. Co-founders Ondrej Novotny and Pavol Neruda delivered a spectacular OKTAGON 58 card that thrilled fans and showcased top-tier talent.
The highlight of the night was undoubtedly hometown hero Karlos Vemola, who defended his OKTAGON light-heavyweight title against Attila Vegh in what was billed as 'The Rematch of the Century.' Vemola exacted revenge with a stunning submission victory in the second round.
An Emotional Victory
The fight was a ferocious back-and-forth battle, but Vemola, spurred on by the passionate Eden Arena crowd, ultimately emerged victorious. Following his win, Vemola expressed the difficulty of ending his career on such a high note.
“It’s going to be hard to end my career here, but tonight I’m leaving as champion. I continued with OKTAGON and carried on breaking records with them, I would never retire,” he told SportsBoom.com.
Reflecting on the Fight
The Czech warrior spoke candidly about the intensity of the fight and his performance. “When my UK coach asked me what I was doing in the cage, I didn’t know what to say. There was no tactics from me or him [Atilla Vegh]. It was just a story of both of us giving our all, and I’m glad that I got the ending I wanted.”
Despite the lack of strategy, the sheer determination and willpower displayed by both fighters made it a memorable encounter.
A Dream Come True
Reflecting on the significance of the victory, Vemola noted, “I wouldn’t say it’s the best knockout or finish of my career, but I did get emotional when I got to the arena. In the 30 years I’ve been fighting, I have never experienced anything like this. It’s a dream for a fighter like me. I wasn’t in my skin today.”
Redemption After Defeat
Four years ago, Vemola suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of Attila Vegh. This loss haunted him, and he used it as motivation for the rematch.
“It was a punishment for me. I have a lot of respect for Attila [Vegh]. But there hasn’t been a night in the past four years where I didn’t think about that loss. I’m very happy I didn’t beat a weak Attila, he looked great.” Vemola's victory was not only a professional triumph but a personal redemption.
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Image credit: OKTAGON MMA
Future Plans with OKTAGON
Although Vemola announced his retirement in the post-fight press conference, he hinted at potential future involvement with OKTAGON. “We’re going to have talk about me becoming a part of OKTAGON behind the scenes. For now, I think I’m done with fighting.”
Despite his retirement, Vemola remains open to the idea of one last fight. “I said I will retire, and I do mean it. I came here as a champion, and I’m leaving as a champion. But the only way I would now come back is to fight Attila [Vegh] again for a third fight.”
A Legacy Cemented
Karlos Vemola’s storied career with OKTAGON MMA, where he was the first fighter signed to the promotion in 2016, has left an indelible mark on the sport, especially in Eastern Europe.
As he retires, he does so with his head held high, a champion in every sense. His journey with OKTAGON MMA has been one of breaking records and setting new standards, and his legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of fighters.
Stay tuned to SportsBoom.com to keep up to date with the thrilling MMA action and fierce competition as it happens live from the arena floor.
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