OKTAGON 79: Surdu loses title on the scale, Kalasnik vows to win vacant title as fight goes ahead

There was drama on the scale in Brno as OKTAGON welterweight champion Ion Surdu was stripped of his title after failing to make weight for his planned title fight with Brno’s own Andrej Kalasnik at OKTAGON 79.

The official weigh-ins saw Kalasnik make weight without issue, tipping the scale at 76.9 kilos, but when Surdu arrived, looking depleted and downcast, there were immediate concerns. And when he stepped onto the scale, he registered an official weight of 80.7 kilos, 3.6 kilos over the 77.1kg limit for a welterweight title fight.

Surdu was given two additional hours to lose the remaining weight, but it was later confirmed by OKTAGON officials that doctors had told Surdu to stop his weight, ending his chances of making championship weight for the bout.

As a result, Surdu loses his title before stepping into the cage on Saturday night, but the bout looks set to continue, with only Kalasnik eligible to win the newly-vacated title.

❌ Surdu Stripped ❌
The doctor has stopped the weight cut and Ion Surdu is no longer the welterweight champion.
However, the OKTAGON 79 main event is still on tomorrow and Andrej Kalašnik can win the belt.
‘Vagabund’ gives his reaction👇🏼
📺 https://t.co/TVP7NaEp1x & RTL+ pic.twitter.com/kuE22pGakO
— OKTAGON (@OktagonOfficial) October 31, 2025

“For me it’s disrespectful, unfair, but I’m still going to win the belt, and I don’t care,” said Kalasnik in a video shared via OKTAGON’s social media.

“So, I will take the fight. Mr Surdu will give some percentage from his salary to my team because it’s in the rules, and we’ll take this fight.

“Like I said, maybe if we fought in a different city if it was not for a title but a normal fight, I 100 percent would not take the offer. But still, I’ll do it for my hometown, and I’ll do it for the belt. So tomorrow, see you guys.”