Oktagon 96 arrives this Saturday, October 31, but like a Jason Voorhees victim, it is not exactly in one piece at this point.
The top two fights on the card were originally set to feature Felix Klinkhammer versus Amiran Gogoladze, alongside Niko Samsonidse versus Gokhan Aksu. However, the injury bug has taken a machete to both marquee matchups, with Oktagon officials confirming on Tuesday that both Klinkhammer and Samsonidse were forced to withdraw from their respective bouts due to undisclosed injuries.
That is a particularly tough break for lightweight standout Samsonidse. Ranked as the number four contender in the promotion, Samsonidse was riding high and building serious momentum following a sensational performance bonus-winning knockout victory over Denis Frimpong. With a high-stakes lightweight championship fight between Mateusz Legierski and Ivan Buchinger officially scheduled for next month, a triumphant performance at Oktagon 96 would have placed Samsonidse within striking distance of his own coveted title shot. Instead, the fourth-ranked contender finds himself sidelined, and the promotion is left to re-evaluate his path back to the top of the division once he is cleared to return to active competition.
Oktagon officials informed Cageside Press of the developing situation Tuesday morning, and the organization has now publicly announced that they are actively seeking a replacement fighter to keep the bout alive for the upcoming card.
Amiran Gogoladze, meanwhile, has already been secured a new opponent as matchmakers worked swiftly behind the scenes to salvage the top tier of the event. Stepping up to save the Oktagon 96 main event will be veteran campaigner Jessin Ayari, holding a professional record of 19-6. Ayari will now be thrust into the spotlight, fighting for the vacant welterweight gold. The situation has been a fluid one for Ayari, who was originally booked to face Ion Surdu before Surdu was forced out and replaced by Kevin Pastran. Now, Ayari gets a significant upgrade in the card hierarchy, though at the time of the announcement, there was no official word from the promotion regarding whether Pastran will remain on the card against a new opponent or be removed entirely.
Ayari brings a wealth of high-level experience to the championship stage, having previously competed under the prestigious Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) banner from 2016 to 2020. Having successfully adjusted to the regional and European circuit following his tenure with the global MMA leader, Ayari enters this championship opportunity riding a strong wave of momentum, having secured victories in his last three consecutive professional outings.
The Oktagon MMA welterweight title currently sits vacant, setting the stage for a high-stakes championship clash that will crown a new ruler for the division. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the iconic SAP Garden located in Munich, Germany, where local and international fans will gather to witness how the restructured fight card ultimately unfolds despite the late-notice turbulence.
