After second UFC skid, Lucie Pudilova wins Oktagon MMA return, gets title shot

When Lucie Pudilova fights for Oktagon MMA, just about all seems to be right in her combat sports world.

When she’s in the UFC, it’s been a different story. But for now, the positive: Pudilova (15-10) on Saturday returned to Oktagon MMA and beat Cecilie Bolander (3-1) with a split decision. After the win, the promotion announced she’ll move on to a vacant women’s bantamweight title shot against Lucia Szabova (8-0) at Oktagon MMA 65 on Dec. 29.

New Bantamweight Contender

Lucie Pudilová defeated Cecilie Bolander by a thrilling split decision to move on to fight for the vacant belt in Prague.

Will she be able to beat Szabová and claim gold in December? #OKTAGON61

https://t.co/TVP7NaDRbZ & DAZN pic.twitter.com/ZGUKEKWBEg

— OKTAGON MMA (@OktagonOfficial) September 21, 2024

Pudilova, a 30-year-old from the Czech Republic, trains with Conor McGregor coach John Kavanagh in Dublin. She reached the UFC in 2017 and dropped her debut, but won two straight after that. She was cut loose after a four-fight skid to Irene Aldana, Liz Carmouche, Antonina Shevchenko and Justine Kish, but went on a 5-1 tear for OKtagon MMA and made her way back to the UFC.

But once again in the world’s biggest promotion, it wasn’t meant to be. Pudilova dropped decisions to Joselyn Edwards, Ailin Perez and Luana Carolina. The latter was in July, and Pudilova found herself quickly back in Oktagon – where she won her return and got her title shot Saturday.

Szabova, a 26-year-old from Slovakia, has six of her eight wins by stoppage.