Polish Veteran Krzysztof Jotko Sets Sights on Dual Oktagon Titles Beyond Imminent €1 Million Showdown

Krzysztof Jotko, the seasoned Polish middleweight, stands on the cusp of a significant financial windfall as he prepares to face Kerim Engizek in the €1 million Tipsport Gamechanger tournament final this Saturday in Düsseldorf, Germany. While the immediate prize represents a substantial achievement, Jotko has already articulated grander ambitions, targeting a historic double-champion status within Oktagon MMA by 2026. This Saturday’s main event is not merely a contest for a hefty sum but a pivotal stepping stone in Jotko’s meticulously planned career trajectory, designed to culminate in securing multiple divisional titles in one of Europe’s fastest-growing mixed martial arts promotions.

Jotko brings a wealth of experience to the cage, having spent a considerable tenure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world’s premier MMA organization. During his time with the UFC, he compiled a respectable record of 11 wins and 6 losses, navigating a highly competitive middleweight division. His notable victories against formidable opponents such as Misha Cirkunov, Gerald Meerschaert, and Eryk Anders underscored his capability to compete at the sport’s highest echelons. This extensive background in global competition forms a cornerstone of his confidence heading into the Oktagon final.

His journey to the Tipsport Gamechanger final in 2025 has been marked by a series of decisive performances, securing three consecutive victories within the tournament structure. These wins have demonstrated a renewed focus and sharpened skill set since his transition from the UFC. Jotko’s experience on the international stage provides a stark contrast to his upcoming opponent, Kerim Engizek, a point the Polish fighter was keen to emphasize.

"He don’t have nothing on me," Jotko stated confidently in an interview with MMA Fighting, drawing a clear distinction between their respective career paths. "Let’s check the [records], who he fight and where he fight, and where I fight with who, and you have the answer. He fight only in Germany, Slovakia and Czech Republic. He fights in his backyard all the time. He never being in a big stage, he never fight in Australia, Canada, America, with the toughest guys in the UFC. We’re going to find out this weekend." Jotko’s comments highlight the perceived disparity in the caliber of competition each fighter has faced, positioning his UFC experience as a critical advantage. His tenure in the UFC involved contests across continents, against a diverse range of fighters, a level of exposure that he believes Engizek has yet to encounter.

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Despite his critical assessment of Engizek’s experience, Jotko maintains a respectful view of his opponent’s tenacity. "I think he’s a tough guy," he conceded. "He’s not going to quit. He comes hard on me, 100 percent. I expect him to comes hard on me when he has lot of energy, but I think round by round I’m going to break him, little bit by little. I want to finish my job in round three." This strategic outlook suggests Jotko anticipates an early onslaught from Engizek but plans to systematically dismantle his opponent as the fight progresses, aiming for a decisive finish in the third round. This approach underscores his tactical maturity and confidence in his conditioning and technical superiority.

The championship bout was originally slated for December 28 in Prague, but a hand fracture sustained by Engizek necessitated a postponement. The rescheduled fight in Düsseldorf, Engizek’s home territory, does not perturb Jotko. However, the Polish veteran expressed a degree of skepticism regarding Engizek’s full recovery from such a significant injury. Jotko, who has extensive personal experience with hand injuries throughout his career, raised questions about the potential lingering effects.

"I broke my hands six times," Jotko revealed, drawing from his own arduous history. "One time I coming back after six months, I fight with the Brad Tavares in the UFC and I really don’t feel good so I don’t know, maybe he gonna feel good and have a good training camp, I don’t know, but I don’t believe this. We’ll see what we’re gonna see this weekend." This candid reflection from Jotko offers insight into the physical toll of professional fighting and implies that a hand fracture can have long-lasting implications for a fighter’s performance, potentially affecting striking power and confidence. His own experience fighting Tavares under less than optimal conditions provides a benchmark for his current assessment of Engizek’s readiness.

Jotko further elaborated on his past struggles, attributing some of his career setbacks, including competing with broken hands, to a "medical error" during his UFC tenure. He explained that he fought through three bouts with compromised hands, a testament to his resilience but also a significant handicap that undoubtedly impacted his performance. Now, at 36 years old, Jotko believes he is finally reaching his full potential, currently riding a four-fight winning streak—his longest in a decade. This resurgence, marked by two TKO victories, suggests a fighter who has overcome adversity and is operating at peak physical and mental form.

His current success is deeply intertwined with resolving significant personal challenges. "I have a lot of problems in my private life with my ex-wife, I have a problem with my health, with my stomach, so my life was not good, and I couldn’t focus 100 percent," Jotko candidly admitted. These deeply personal issues, which impacted his ability to fully dedicate himself to training and competition, shed light on the unseen battles many athletes face outside the cage. However, Jotko asserts that he has successfully navigated these turbulent waters. "But I fixed my life, I fixed everything. I feel really like I’m in the prime right now, and you can see it, I have four-win streak, two TKOs, and Saturday is going to me my fifth win." This statement reflects a profound transformation, both personally and professionally, culminating in his current impressive form.

Reflecting on past decisions to compete while physically compromised, Jotko acknowledged the difficult choices professional fighters sometimes face. "Sometimes life makes you do stupid decisions," he remarked, articulating the harsh realities of the sport. "Like, for example, if you don’t have the money and you have a fight coming up, you need to take them because you don’t have money for life, you know what I mean?" This honest appraisal reveals the financial pressures that can force fighters to enter the cage when not at their best, sacrificing long-term health for immediate monetary needs. "I have a couple mistakes in what I did, my career in the UFC. I lose some fights, I also fight with the broken hands. I fight for three fights with my broken hands. But now I’m good, you can see my records, and everything is going good direction." This period of introspection and self-correction has seemingly paved the way for his current success in Oktagon.

Jotko’s departure from the UFC followed a loss to Brendan Allen in 2022. He subsequently signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) the following year, where he had a single, contentious bout against Will Fleury. The fight, initially a split decision loss for Jotko, was later overturned to a no-contest after Fleury tested positive for drostanolone, a banned substance. This incident was further complicated by Jotko himself failing a drug test in PFL, an event that led to his permanent departure from the promotion. These drug testing issues marked a tumultuous period in his career, further illustrating the challenges he has overcome to reach his current standing.

Now, under the Oktagon banner, Jotko is not only climbing the middleweight rankings but also setting his sights on an ambitious goal: becoming a "champ-champ" in 2026. This aspiration involves a direct challenge to Will Fleury, who now holds both the heavyweight and light heavyweight titles within the Oktagon organization. While Jotko has no intention of moving up to the heaviest weight class, he views Fleury’s light heavyweight belt as an opportunity for both championship glory and a measure of redemption.

"We have some unfinished business," Jotko stated, referencing his past encounter with Fleury. "If everything gonna be good with the middleweight division, I’m gonna jump higher and try to take his [light heavyweight] belt and take my rematch [laughs]." This declaration underscores a clear, strategic vision for his future. Securing the €1 million prize and the Oktagon middleweight title this Saturday would not only cement his status as a top-tier fighter but also provide the momentum and platform to pursue his extraordinary goal of capturing a second divisional championship, marking a significant chapter in his storied career.

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