Igor Severino and Zargas Zhumagulov are preventing for greater than belts this weekend in Slovakia.
A champion vs. champion conflict might be among the best fights exterior of the UFC in 2026, with each males seeking to make historical past and show that being let go by the UFC is not the tip of the world.
Severino and Dzhumagulov, who headline this Saturday’s Octagon 89 in Bratislava, Slovakia, have taken very completely different paths within the UFC. Severino’s case was short-lived, as he was launched after biting Andre Lima in his first UFC battle. Zhumagulov, then again, fought seven occasions within the Octagon towards the promotion’s powerhouses, however ended up with a disappointing report of 1 win and 6 losses.
Each males are undefeated since leaving the North American promotion and at the moment maintain titles contained in the Octagon. Severino left the flyweight division and gained the 135-pound gold medal in March with a hard-hitting knockout of Khurshed Kahorov. Zhumagulov defended his flyweight belt with two consecutive wins in 2025 and is now aiming for double gold standing by shifting to bantamweight.
“These are the form of fights I am on the lookout for,” Severino advised MMA Preventing. “The extra high-profile and media-friendly the battle, the higher for me. I am additionally excited concerning the problem of preventing on the highest degree. I consider a win towards Zargas will put me in an excellent higher place as a result of he is a troublesome man and a well known fighter.”
“I am very glad to maneuver to the second division, as a result of that is historical past for my nation,” Zhumagulov advised MMA Preventing via an interpreter. “This can be a new problem for me. 126 kilos is superb for me, nevertheless it’s additionally troublesome as a result of I misplaced a lot weight, however I really feel excellent on this weight class now. I really feel very snug at this weight as a result of dropping to 126 kilos was loads of stress. I really feel fully good now and I sleep nicely. 10 days earlier than the battle my physique has by no means felt like this.”
Severino stated he was “too younger” when he fought at flyweight early in his profession, however he naturally gained weight and muscle mass throughout his grueling suspension. He declares that bantamweight is “my weight class now,” and vows to make that clear when he faces Zhumagulov to defend his title.
“The truth that (Zhumagulov) is profitable (after leaving the UFC) provides him loads of confidence,” Severino stated. “I believe that is the principle distinction. Perhaps he wasn’t as assured when he was within the UFC. I’ve seen all his fights with Joshua Vann and others, and it is completely different. When he fought Joshua Vann, Joshua Vann rushed into the battle, however Zargas had already accomplished a full coaching camp, so he did not battle Joshua Vann, who’s the champion in the present day. However even when he did, nothing would change (laughs).”
“Everybody says, ‘When the video games get robust, he’ll chew,’ however my final opponent is aware of that is not going to occur. He is on a profitable streak so he is very assured, however stepping in there with me, he’ll really feel a special form of stress. I am excited for every little thing he’ll carry. “I am prepared for that, however I believe he in all probability sees issues otherwise. He in all probability thinks he is the identical flyweight that I fought within the UFC and I have never modified. “And actually, it is good that he retains that mindset as a result of as soon as the battle begins, he’ll see actuality. ”
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Zhumagulov is relishing the chance to win a second belt to “make historical past” in MMA and would not assume there will probably be many challenges for him in both weight class within the Octagon.
“Everybody noticed my degree and everybody noticed my battle within the UFC with Joshua Vann. It was a blended determination,” Zhumagulov stated, referring to his final UFC look in June 2023, when he misplaced to Vann in his debut in Florida. “However proper now I really feel like I am in the very best form. I’ve the very best physique and energy. I am able to tackle anybody at any weight.”
Severino disagreed, citing his older brother Matheus Severino because the one who beat him at flyweight. Severino gained his Octagon debut in March, bettering his skilled report to 15-5.
“I’ll defeat Zargas and ship him again to his division,” Severino stated. “And he’ll be concerned with my brother (laughs).”
Zhumagulov would not appear too impressed.
“I am 126 (kilos) within the Octagon and I haven’t got an opponent proper now,” Zhumagulov stated. “And it’s totally troublesome for me to organize and drop extra pounds. I am on the lookout for problem, a troublesome problem and battle. At 135 and nowhere, there is not any fighter near my degree. The match with Severino will probably be fascinating, as a result of he is the champion, however we’ll see what is going on on after the battle. However for now, there isn’t any opponent in both division for me.”
Severino is barely 23 years previous, whereas Zhumagulov will flip 38 in August. Whereas returning to the UFC continues to be an choice for each fighters sooner or later, Severino and Zhumagulov are content material to remain within the Octagon for now so long as an even bigger problem awaits.
“Octagon is an excellent promotion,” Zhumagulov stated. “I do not see any distinction between the Octagon and the UFC throughout battle week or something like that, however it’s a must to perceive that I am on the lookout for a giant problem, a giant battle. There isn’t any one within the Octagon proper now that may (problem) me. I do not know what is going on to occur subsequent, however now that the battle is about, I have to deal with this battle first. We’ll see what occurs after that.”
“I need to win as a lot as I can within the Octagon,” Severino stated. “I need to beat each title they put in entrance of me till the second comes when the UFC realizes they haven’t any different alternative.”
