Oktagon champions Igor Severino and Zhalgas Zhumagulov meet in post-UFC comeback bouts

Two former UFC fighters are finding renewed success on the European regional circuit, with Igor Severino and Zhalgas Zhumagulov both holding Oktagon championship gold as they look to rebuild their careers following their departures from the promotion.

Severino, just 23 years old, has emerged as one of the more compelling young prospects on the Oktagon roster. The Brazilian out of Chute Boxe Joao Emilio carries an 8-1-0 professional record and brings a physically imposing offensive game for his division. Standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, the orthodox fighter is a relentless pressure wrestler, averaging an extraordinary 9.69 takedowns per 15 minutes. He pairs that grappling volume with genuine striking danger, landing 7.17 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate — numbers that rank among the most productive in any regional scene.

Zhumagulov represents the experience side of this pairing. The 37-year-old Kazakh, currently training out of American Top Team, holds a 14-9-0 record built over a lengthy professional career. He stands five-foot-four with a 66-inch reach and operates out of a switch stance. A capable striker in his own right, Zhumagulov averages 5.24 significant strikes per minute, though his 43 percent accuracy reflects the busier, volume-oriented style he employs.

Why it matters

• Both fighters holding Oktagon titles signals the promotion's growing ability to attract and showcase former UFC-level talent
• Severino's elite takedown volume and striking efficiency make him a rare dual threat at the regional level
• Zhumagulov's experience at the UFC level lends credibility to the Oktagon flyweight and bantamweight landscapes
• The broader trend points to Europe's regional scene becoming an increasingly serious proving ground for fighters with major-organization pedigree