Will Fleury doubts Oktagon champion Karlos Vemola accepts title challenge: 'He's going to coast'

Irish light heavyweight contender Will Fleury delivered a big statement at Oktagon 62 , then called for a title shot against current 205-pound king Karlos Vemola. But, chatting backstage after his win, he admitted he didn't think the bout would come to fruition.

Fleury knocked out former interim light heavyweight champion Pavol Langer in a minute and a half in his 205-pound matchup at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany and immediately called his shot as he addressed Vemola, who was sat at cageside commentating on the fight for Czech television.

From the TV pictures, Vemola's reaction appeared non-committal, and Fleury said that while he's done his part to earn a shot at Oktagon gold, he's not convinced Vemola is prepared to step up and take the fight.

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Oktagon MMA

Will Fleury unsure Karlos Vemola will accept his title challenge

"I'll be honest, I don't think he will," he admitted.

"If I'm in his position, you're an older guy, you've got a legacy, you've built all that. You've got this guy coming up who looks like an absolute animal. Why would you want it?

"He's going to coast. He's going to take the easiest fights he can for as much promotion, and as much money, as possible.

"That's not what sport is, though. So I'm here to force him into what sport is. I'm the lion. I'm coming up. Be a man. Defend yourself from the lions."

Vemola was due to face old adversary Samuel Kristofic in a rematch at Oktagon 63 in Bratislava on November 9. But after Kristofic withdrew from the bout through injury, Vemola was left without an opponent.

Oktagon MMA

Will Fleury says he's ready to make immediate turnaround for Oktagon 63

Fleury had already stated his intention to score a big, quick win at Oktagon 62, then move on to face Vemola in Oktagon's next event on November 9. And, after barely being touched in his 91-second demolition of Langer, he said he's more than happy to take that short-notice assignment.

"I can. It's whether they want me to," he said.

"So, I'm ready. I'm ready to go whenever. November 9? No problem. That's four weeks away. I'm fresh. You saw what happened in there. I didn't take any damage at all.

"If Carlos isn't gonna be a f–ing p– and he wants it, we can do it, no problem. We could do it in Prague in December. You let me know, and I'll be there. I'm ready whenever.

"I'm here to leave a legacy. That's knocking out a guy in a 60,000 seater stadium in the first round (and) doing a pretty impressively against a guy who's considered very tough. It's a statement. I made my statement. I told you I was here to make those statements. I've gone and done it now. So look, the ball's in your court."