Some fighters talk themselves into headlines. One of the co-main participants of OKTAGON 77, Hojat Khajevand, does the opposite.

Asked what single adjustment gives him the edge against Krzysztof Jotko, a UFC veteran with more than twenty big-show fights, Khajevand shrugs it off:

“I trained as usual, I’m ready for Jotko.”

That’s it. No sales pitch. No hype. Just a man who believes preparation speaks louder than words.

But don’t mistake brevity for doubt. Behind the one-liners is a fighter who has already carved out a reputation in OKTAGON as a wrestler no one wants to tie up with.

“I’m a better wrestler than Jotko, and I don’t think his grappling is better than mine — we’ll see.”

That’s the promise he’s carrying into October 4 in Bratislava, where the co-main event of OKTAGON 77 doubles as a semifinal in the Tipsport Gamechanger tournament.

Wrestling vs. Resume at OKTAGON 77

Jotko walks in with years of UFC experience. Khajevand walks in with the conviction that wrestling changes everything. It’s a clash between status and style — between a man who’s been there and a man determined to prove he belongs.

Jotko’s Veteran Test in OKTAGON 77

For Khajevand, this isn’t just another opponent — it’s a man who has spent nearly a decade competing at the highest level. Krzysztof Jotko made his UFC debut back in 2013 and went on to rack up more than 15 wins inside the Octagon, including victories over names like Eryk Anders, Thales Leites, and Gerald Meerschaert.

Known for his disciplined southpaw striking and grinding clinch work, Jotko built a reputation as one of the toughest middleweights in Europe. He’s fought in front of massive crowds, travelled the world, and faced every style the sport has to offer.

That experience is what makes this OKTAGON 77 co-main event so compelling. Jotko has the résumé, the polish, and the poise under bright lights. Khajevand has the hunger and the wrestling threat to disrupt it all.

The Gamechanger Equation for OKTAGON 77

For Khajevand, it’s not just another fight — it’s a direct line to the final. He says it bluntly:

“Then probably in the final against Engizek…”

One win over Jotko, and the door swings open.

What’s on the Line in the Gamechanger Tournament at OKTAGON 77

The Tipsport Gamechanger isn’t just another bracket — it’s one of the most ambitious projects in European MMA. Sixteen welterweights entered, representing countries across the continent, all fighting for a share of a €1 million prize pool. For Khajevand, that means his semifinal with Jotko isn’t simply about pride or momentum. It’s about punching a ticket to the final, where a single victory could change his career financially and professionally overnight.

For Jotko, it’s a chance to remind the MMA world that he still belongs among the elite. For Khajevand, it’s a chance to prove that his wrestling can carry him all the way to the top of Europe’s biggest stage.

Adopted by the Crowd

If there’s one place Khajevand lets emotion slip, it’s when talking about fans.

“I want to thank you all. Czech fans especially love MMA. Whenever I’m there, I get so much love from you. I’ll put on a great show for you.”

That gratitude may sound small, but in a sport where audiences decide who rises and who disappears, it’s the kind of connection that can turn a fighter into a phenomenon.

Quiet Before the Storm in OKTAGON 77

Khajevand’s answers are short. His fight will not be.
Against Jotko, he’s betting that understatement turns into over-performance.

If he’s right, the quiet man just might change the entire Gamechanger bracket — and his own career — in one violent night.

📌 OKTAGON 77 Event Info

OKTAGON 77
📅 October 4, 2025
📍 Bratislava, Slovakia
🎯 Co-Main: Hojat Khajevand vs. Krzysztof Jotko (Tipsport Gamechanger semifinal)
📺 Watch live at oktagon.tv