Birmingham's Akonne Wanliss Eyes European MMA Glory in OKTAGON Tournament

Birmingham's own Akonne Wanliss is set to step into the spotlight once again, this time in the esteemed arena of European MMA. Wanliss, known for his dynamic presence both in and out of the cage, has secured a coveted spot in the highly anticipated OKTAGON MMA's 2024 'Tipsport Gamechanger' tournament, offering the largest prize pot in European MMA history.

In the upcoming 2024 'Tipsport Gamechanger' tournament, 16 skilled lightweights are set to vie for the prestigious title and the largest prize in European MMA. Notably, the sole representative from the UK announced in the event's line-up is the renegade fighter, Wanliss. The tournament's quarterfinals are slated to kick off in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on March 2nd, 2024, hosted at the renowned Ostravar Arena.

The journey to this moment has been nothing short of remarkable for Wanliss, who transitioned from a career as a stage performer to become a rising star in the MMA world. Renowned as the self-proclaimed 'pound-for-pound best stripper in the World,' Wanliss has swiftly made his mark on the European MMA scene, capturing attention with his electrifying performances.

Having debuted in OKTAGON MMA in July 2023 with a stunning first-round knockout victory against Giorgi Gogotchuri, the ‘Jedi’ has since showcased his prowess on multiple occasions. Despite a setback in his second bout due to a no contest decision following an accidental low-blow, Wanliss has remained undeterred in his pursuit of excellence.

Additionally, Wanliss also assumed the role of co-coach on the reality TV show, OKTAGON Challenge: England vs Ireland, further cementing his presence in the MMA sphere. Now, he stands on the brink of potentially solidifying his status as one of the most formidable fighters on the UK scene as he gears up for the 'Tipsport Gamechanger' tournament.

Reflecting on his upcoming challenge, the Jamaican-born fighters expressed a blend of gratitude and determination: “I’m feeling really grateful to be honest, the pride hasn’t set in yet because I know there is a lot of work to do. Camp is going absolutely amazing, but having this tournament in my head as something to work towards has really helped me over the Christmas break - I’ve kept breaking records with my strength and conditioning and I’ve been working so hard for 15 weeks before the fight, that shows how ready I am.”

With his sights set on the tournament, Wanliss exuded confidence: "There’s been no days off, it’s come to fruition at exactly the right time, the consistency is good and no injuries so I’m ready to unleash the force." His determination to make an impact is palpable as he eagerly anticipates stepping back into the cage.

Looking ahead, he highlighted the challenges that lie ahead but remained steadfast in his pursuit of success: “I feel like ever since Manchester, I’ve been desperate to get back in there and fight. I’m so happy I am going to be in the Tipsport Gamechanger because people have to fight me, no one is going to slow me down by ducking or not taking fights, they have to feel the Force. I’m going to have at least four fights here, no one can say no to fighting me and I can become a millionaire, what more could I ask for?"