(Exclusive) David Kozma discusses OKTAGON 67 co-main event against Robert Pukač

'Pink Panther' makes his first appearance of the year.

Zain Bando | Feb 21, 2025

OKTAGON MMA

Former OKTAGON MMA Welterweight Champion David Kozma attempts to snap a two-fight losing skid Saturday in the co-main event of OKTAGON 67 against Robert Pukač.

Kozma (32-14-1, MMA, 12-3 OKTAGON MMA) spoke with MMA Knockout ahead of the fight to discuss his road back to the championship, long-term goals, and much more.

David Kozma Wants His Belt Back

Kozma is keen on regaining the OKTAGON welterweight title sooner rather than later but knows he must beat Pukač (18-13-1 MMA, 5-8 OKTAGON MMA) as a first step before looking too far ahead at the rest of the division.

David Kozma walks out for an OKTAGON MMA fight. / OKTAGON MMA

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"[The] championship is my initial goal, and I understand that I need to take fights before I get a shot at fighting for the belt again," Kozma said. "I don’t know when it will come, but I know it will, and I will do [the] maximum to get it back."

Kozma doesn't care how he wins the fight, but also recognizes the most important aspect is ensuring he gets out of the fight unscathed.

"Doesn’t really matter to me," Kozma said. "I go there to win and have my arm raised up in the end, how doesn’t matter to me in this case."

David Kozma On His Next Fight

Although getting a win is top priority, Kozma wants to stay active as much as he can. He doesn't have a preference for who he fights next, either.

David Kozma before entering the cage. / OKTAGON MMA

"A win is a win," Kozma said. "I don’t really plan ahead like that. Whoever they give me next, I’ll fight. Hopefully, it’s someone tougher than Robo so that I can get [moved up] in the ratings for a fight for the belt."

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Kozma doesn't have any long-term goals, and would rather keep it that way for the rest of his career.

" I just focus on what’s next," Kozma said.

The 11-fight Oktagon 67 card takes place from Werk Arena in Třinec, Czech Republic, beginning at noon ET/9 a.m. PT via Internet PPV through its in-house platform, OKTAGON TV.

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Published Feb 21, 2025|Modified Feb 21, 2025

ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of the Sports Illustrated/Minute Media umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA. He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99