In a competition that’s bound to capture the imagination, Europe’s fastest-growing promotion has announced the line-up for ‘Oktagon Challenge: England vs Ireland’.
The reality TV show that pushes fighters outside their comfort zones is back with its latest series.
Having created superstars in Slovakia and The Czech Republic, UFC legends Brad Pickett and Paddy Holohan are ready to join the programme and guide the next generation to an incredible five-figure contract with the company.
With the fighters taking on an array of entertaining challenges, which will ultimately endear them to audiences, the show is bound to create fan favourites.
However, to win the tournament, the athletes need much more than charisma, as they’ll have to battle it out with the best fighters across England and Ireland.
With national pride on the line, four competitors from each side will battle it out to discover which country will reign supreme. And they’ll do it with the assistance of two of the hottest prospects on the planet.
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Shem Rock and Akonne Wanliss will make an impact on Oktagon Challenge: England vs Ireland
In a sport in which only the most determined can reach the top, it comes as no surprise that the world’s best have intriguing backstories. However, the tale of Shem Rock is beyond anything we’ve ever seen before.
Born in Liverpool to a life of crime, the youngster fled the country after being accused of aggravated burglary.
Professing his innocence, he travelled to Malaysia, where he discovered martial arts.
Quickly realising he had the potential to make a huge splash, he began competing, amassing an impressive record.
Alas, despite his momentum, upon finding out about the accusations, Rock’s coach pushed him out of the gym, and consequently, the budding fighter ended up in Dublin.
Chancing his arm, he took a title fight in Belfast, winning the belt in sparkling fashion. But he wasn’t so lucky in his first defence.
Following a first-round KO defeat, his evasion of the police finally came to an end. Rock went to prison with a long sentence looking all but guaranteed.
But amazingly, after serving six months, new evidence came to light proving he wasn’t at the scene. So after a decade-long ordeal, he’s dedicated his life to evolving as an athlete while also helping youngsters in Liverpool avoid going down the wrong path.
Representing the Irish colours, Rock will go toe-to-toe with Team England’s Akonne Wanliss, who doesn’t remotely care about his rival’s stunning journey.
Coming into the show off the back of two consecutive wins, he’s ready to show everyone exactly what he’s all about.
OKTAGON Challenge: England vs. Ireland: Official cast
The eight athletes who will be competing on OKTAGON Challenge: England vs. Ireland are as follows:
Team England (coached by Brad Pickett & Akonne Wanliss)
- George Staines (16-1 Amateur) from Hull
- Jake McHugh (5-0 Amateur) from Liverpool
- Hascan Gelezi (4-1, 1NC) from London
- Beau Gavin (0-1) from Liverpool
Team Ireland (coached by Paddy Holohan & Shem Rock)
- Matthew Elliott (2-1) from Belfast
- Denis Frimpong (1-1) from Dublin
- Aaron McDonald (8-3 Amateur) from Lisburn
- Armand Herczeg (7-8 Amateur) from Dundalk
By the end of eight adrenaline-fuelled episodes, only two competitors will remain.
On November 4 at Oktagon MMA 48 at the AO Arena in Manchester, the finalists will collide in the promotion’s inaugural event in the UK.
Featured Image Credit: Oktagon MMA