OKTAGON MMA co-owner Ondrej Novotny has shared the realities of growing an MMA promotion amid UFC's global dominance.
The UFC have always held a stranglehold on the sport of MMA and reached new heights of popularity during and following COVID-19 as they were the only sports organisation still running shows amid the pandemic.
Dana White's promotion cemented their spot as the No.1 organisation in MMA, but Novotny, who fronts OKTAGON MMA alongside business partner Pavol Neruda, is forging his own illustrious path, having enjoyed great success in Europe as they embark in the UK.
OKTAGON MMA recently set up shop in Birmingham, England, with a star-studded card showcasing the UK talent they boast on their impressive roster, including budding star Shem Rock, who trains with Paddy Pimblett.
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And the promotion are gearing up for a blockbuster card in Prague, Czech Republic, as former UFC veteran Karlos Vemola meets ex-Bellator light-heavyweight champion Attila Vegh at an open-air football stadium in front of 27,000 fans on June 8. What's more, a monstrous event is set for October 12 at Frankfurt's 55,000-seater stadium - home to Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.
On OKTAGON MMA's position in the ever-growing industry, Novotny explained: “UFC is the King, and everyone else is just trying to find their own path. We believe that ours could be a good path, but also in some ways we are unable to compete with the big ones, because Czech and Slovakia are too small.
"That’s why we have to go to Germany and now into other countries. We are still growing, it is getting better and better, but everything we invest is going back into the business.
“For us, it’s about fun. Pavol and I don’t care about the money, we want it to be an adventure. However, we believe that we know the pattern, and we know how it should be done in Europe.
“UFC will never be in Europe for more than 5 times a year because the market is too small. So we believe that Europe is the sweet spot for us, perhaps the Middle East in the future, and this is what we try to concentrate on.”
Novotny and Neruda are reaping the rewards after taking out £20,000 bank loans to start the business.
Discussing the decision to take the risk, Novotny added: "I’ve never been scared about these kinds of things. I don’t see money as something important. It gives me freedom, but it is not something which I get hung up on. If I can chase my dreams for just £20,000, then I will do it.
"I’ve always had a win mentality, and I’ve always been so sure that I would succeed that I have never thought about the consequences of losing.
"If I’m going for something, I really believe that it is going to be successful, but this is life, you can’t win every time."
Nasir Jabbar