OKTAGON 56: Full card, start time, where to watch as Aaron Aby, Akonne Wanliss and Shem Rock feature

In the main event, inspiring cancer survivor who lives with cystic fibrosis, Aaron Aby (16-8-1), faces former Cage Warriors champion, Sam Creasey (18-5), in a battle for flyweight gold.

Aby fought for the inaugural title back in November against Elias Garcia but despite dominating the first two rounds, lost the fight due to a bad cut.

Since then, Garcia turned down the opportunity to meet the Welshman on two separate occasions so was stripped of the title.

Creasey was the one who answered the call which sets up a brilliant rematch three years on from when the pair first competed.

It was Creasey who convincingly defeated Aby on that occasion but during that time, Aby was still feeling the aftermath of intense chemotherapy. He is now much stronger, and his body has filled out considerably in size after being in remission.

Team Renegade product and Birmingham’s own, Akonne Wanliss (7-2, 1NC), collides with knockout artist, Sahil Siraj (9-2), in the OKTAGON 56 co-headliner as part of the Tipsport Gamechanger lightweight tournament opening round.

Both men were supposed to throw down back in March but a backstage altercation between ‘The Jedi’ and members of Siraj’s team meant the highly anticipated bout had to be postponed.

The atmosphere will be electric inside Resorts World Arena on Saturday night when these two finishers clash for a quarter final spot opposite Mateusz Legierski in Eden Stadium later this year.

In a feature bout, rising star, Shem Rock (9-1-1), begins his drop to featherweight when he takes on Great Britain Top Team’s, Stefano Catacoli (7-1), at a 68kg/150lbs catchweight.

Since signing a new contract with OKTAGON MMA, Rock has found it increasingly difficult getting opponents to agree to fight him.

However, Brad Pickett’s protégé, Catacoli, knows the opportunity that’s in front of him and wants to grasp it with both hands. Who will emerge victorious in this Liverpool vs. London showdown?

Also on the main card, Irish standout, Will Fleury (11-3, 1NC), makes his promotional debut after putting the whole light heavyweight division on notice against former Glory kickboxer, Daniel Škvor (7-3).

Furthermore, OKTAGON Challenge: England vs. Ireland champion, George Staines (1-0), who is one of the best prospects in the UK, squares off with Tomáš Cigánik (1-1) at lightweight.

Elsewhere on the lineup, top talent, James Hendin (8-2), steps into the OKTAGON MMA cage for the first time against all-rounder, Jakub Dohnal (12-4), in a featherweight contest and king of trash talk, Denis Frimpong (2-2), faces Bradford’s Callum Mullen (6-2, 1NC) in an intense England vs. Ireland lightweight bout.

OKTAGON 56 will be broadcast live on OKTAGON.TV internationally as well as worldwide on the global platform, DAZN, in all markets except from CZ/SK.

Fans in the UK/Ireland can tune in on Channel 4 and RMC Sport/DAZN will broadcast the event for viewers in France. The action begins at 5pm BST/6pm CEST/12pm ET/9am CT.

 

OKTAGON 56 Fight Card

Main Event - OKTAGON MMA Vacant Flyweight Title
Aaron Aby (16-8-1) vs. Sam Creasey (18-5)
 
Tipsport Gamechanger Opening Round
Akonne Wanliss (7-2, 1NC) vs. Sahil Siraj (9-2)
 
Catchweight (68kg/150lbs) Bout
Shem Rock (9-1-1) vs. Stefano Catacoli (7-1)
 
Light Heavyweight Bout
Will Fleury (11-3, 1NC) vs. Daniel Škvor (7-3)
 
Welterweight Bout
Andrej Kalašnik (10-5) vs. Liam Etebar (8-3)
 
Lightweight Bout
George Staines (1-0) vs. Tomáš Cigánik (1-1)

 

Preliminary Card

Featherweight Bout
Jakub Dohnal (12-4) vs. James Hendin (8-2)
 
Lightweight Bout
Denis Frimpong (2-2) vs. Callum Mullen (6-2, 1NC)
 
Middleweight Bout
Mick Stanton (12-8) vs. Kamil Wojciechowski (8-1)
 
Welterweight Bout
Max Handanagić (9-6-1) vs. James Dixon (4-2)
 
Welterweight Bout
Ammari Diedrick (5-2) vs. Daniel Hromek (3-3)
 
Featherweight Bout
Beau Gavin (0-1) vs. Mbaye Gaye (Pro Debut)
 
Flyweight Bout
Megan Morris (2-2) vs. Aitana Álvarez (5-5)