Will Fleury accuses Makhmud Muradov of backing away from light heavyweight rematch

Ireland’s Will Fleury says Makhmud Muradov has reversed his stance on a light heavyweight rematch and believes Oktagon is favouring its new champion in negotiations.

Irish fighter Will Fleury has accused Makhmud Muradov of backing away from an agreed light heavyweight rematch, telling MMA Fighting that his opponent initially accepted a December return bout before changing course.

Oktagon has since announced that a poll will decide the main event for Oktagon 100, which takes place on 29 December in Prague. The options are Muradov challenging Krzysztof Jotko for the middleweight title or facing Fleury for his heavyweight belt.

Fleury lost his light heavyweight title to Muradov in August, suffering a knockout 19 seconds into the second round after hurting Muradov late in the first. Fleury credited his opponent afterwards, and both expressed willingness to meet again at the post-fight press conference.

According to Fleury, Oktagon owner Ondrej Novotny called four days later to say Muradov did not want another light heavyweight contest. A challenge for Fleury’s heavyweight title or a return to middleweight were put forward instead.

Fleury said he offered a route to a heavyweight meeting: “I eventually offer him the heavyweight title fight on the condition that if I beat him, he has to rematch at light heavyweight within three months,” he said. According to Fleury, Muradov rejected that condition. Fleury has since indicated he might relax his demands to secure another fight, although his aim remains to reclaim the 205lb belt.

Fleury also believes Oktagon is giving Muradov greater backing because he speaks Czech and brings an audience the promotion values. He said Novotny told him he was not pushing Muradov towards the light heavyweight rematch and was happy for him to challenge at heavyweight.

Muradov also holds the interim middleweight title. Fleury acknowledged that this gives him a reason to pursue a fight in that division, but said his concern was that dropping down would mean a lengthy wait before Muradov returned to light heavyweight.

Fleury, 37, was unbeaten in 11 fights before the Muradov loss and has four fights left on his Oktagon contract. “I’m not letting it go,” he said. “I’m the champion. Give me my belt back.”