It didn’t take long for Martin Buday to find a new home after his puzzling exit from the UFC.
After winning seven of eight fights in the UFC heavyweight division, including a unanimous decision victory over Marcus Buchecha at UFC on ABC 9 just two weeks ago, the promotion opted to not sign Buday (16-2) to a new deal at the conclusion of his contract.
This came to the surprise and disappointment of Buday, who said he did not ask for a raise or any other demands to stay with the UFC. It didn’t happen, though, and he entered free agency, where he quickly was picked up by OKTAGON MMA.
Buday competed for OKTAGON MMA in 2018-2019 and became heavyweight champion. He vacated the belt when he signed with the UFC, but will now seemingly have the chance to get it back from reigning titleholder Will Fleury (15-3), whom he faced off with after his signing was announced at Saturday’s OKTAGON 74 event.
The promotion did not reveal a timeline for the teased showdown between Buday, 33, and Fleury, 36, who is on a nine-fight unbeaten streak dating back to June 2020.
