Ahead of OKTAGON 56 this Saturday (April 20), the promotion have released a number of videos across their social media previewing several of the big bouts set for the Resorts World Arena.
Away from Aaron Aby taking on Sam Creasey for the vacant Flyweight title, and the grudge match between Akonne Wanliss and Sahil Siraj, Shem Rock vs. Stefano Catacoli serves as one of the most intriguing bouts on the card.
Ahead of the two facing off in a 150lbs catchweight bout, the OKTAGON cameras caught up with both athletes to discuss their journey to the bout and their predictions for the contest.
The bout will mark Rock’s first contest in the UK since signing with the promotion, although he should have already competed on UK shores. The Next Generation man was set to face Jaroslav Pokorny at the promotion’s inaugural UK show at OKTAGON 48. However, after a coming together at the weigh ins, the bout was ultimately scrapped due to Pokorny picking up a rib injury when the two faced off. Reflecting on what happened, Rock said:
“It was very disappointing that I didn’t get to fight. I’ve been inactive now for 10 months. I’ve called out every top name on the roster.”
Later in the showdown episode, Rock revealed the reason behind the two men clashing at the weigh ins, he continued:
“Pokorny was getting quite personal in the DMs. But there’s a line, when you cross the line and start talking about family members. So I told him ‘when you see me, keep that energy.’ And I think he didn’t realise that and I told the bosses don’t let him touch me because if he touches me, we are fighting.”
With many people turning down the Rock fight, Catacoli stepped up. The Great Britain Top Team man has looked seriously impressive in his promotional debut, entirely shutting out Jan Siroky on his way to a unanimous decision win.
Although a man who lets his skillset do the talking, Catacoli understands the task at hand and just how much a win against Rock could do for his career. He said:
“There is extra motivation for this fight because I know when I win this fight, my life is going to change.”
Never one to shy away from a prediction, Rock believes he has the capability to end the fight in any way he choses.
“He is very amateurish, I will knock him out in the first round or I will choke him out in the first round.”
You can watch the whole Showdown episode, below:
