The latest “UTMA 18” tournament took place on April 18, when Ignas Pauliukevičius and Sergejus “Kuvalda” Maslobojevas clashed gloves in the main fight of the evening.
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This confrontation already stirred great excitement among fans, and the “Žalgiris” arena was nearly full. The sharp-tongued I. Pauliukevičius challenged one of the country’s best kickboxers and lost to S. Maslobojevas only by the judges’ decision.
It was known and perhaps even expected that after the fight UTMA would announce an even bigger event to take place after the summer break. Immediately after the 39-year-old “Kuvalda’s” victory, the arena darkened and a highly anticipated and much-discussed showdown between him and Dominykas Dirksys was presented.
It will take place at the “UTMA 19” tournament on September 26 at the Kaunas “Žalgiris” arena, and tickets are almost sold out.
Joining it is also a promising fight of Eimantas Stanionis. It will take place in the “co-main” part, but his opponent is not yet clear.
However, this is not the only work the organization has done over the summer. During this period, UTMA signed long-term contracts with 9 fighters.
- Rodrigo Mineiro, Isa Gočmenu, Tomas Banskis, Deividas Jemeljanovas, Vitas Karosas, Raimondas Avlasevičius, Raimondas Krilavičius, Ričardas Kūlis, and Edvinas Šalkovskis.
Mindaugas Narauskas relinquished the 81 kg weight category champion title, and Dovydas Levickis will defend the 63.5 kg weight category belt in a fight against Modestas Žmuidina.
It was also announced that Martynas Danius and Khyzer Hayat will fight for the 67 kg weight category champion title.
One of the most notable summer developments was the presentation of exact weight categories and confirmed rankings. After this news, the 77 kg weight category belt holder Raimondas Krilavičius was somewhat affected. His category was abolished, and the belt was liquidated.
It was also announced that in the upcoming tournaments, eight fighters will compete for a prize fund of 50 thousand euros and the 81 kg weight category champion title.
- Oskaras Buinickas will fight Rodrygo Mineiro;
- Deividas Jemeljanovas will fight Arnoldas Misiūnas;
- Tomas Banskis will fight Savvas Kagkelidis;
- Ričardas Kūlis will fight Isa Gočmenu.
“We always meet after fights, and now many things have changed. Many fights await. The tournaments themselves, their quality, viewership, and attendance will speak louder than words. It’s great that Eimantas is returning.
Probably the key question that arises is whether the fight between D. Dirksys and S. Maslobojevas will really happen. Dirksys had an injury, but he is ready, and the fight will take place. It will be a historic tournament. This fight has been brewing for three years.
E. Stanionis will also fight here. It seemed impossible, but now it has become possible. We will have a real, organic “sold-out,” – said V. Gecas.
– When did the idea that E. Stanionis would fight on September 26 come about?
– It had been brewing for some time. Everything was reflected in negotiations with Egidijus Kavaliauskas. We are negotiating quite actively, and both our side and E. Stanionis’s side are ready. Eimantas has not fought for a year. In February and April, he didn’t even have theoretical chances to fight because of injuries.
We saw that S. Maslobojevas and D. Dirksys will definitely fight, and this is a top fight. Both UTMA and combat sports in general gathering 16,500 people is a huge number. We saw that we still have reserves, so this idea fit. On September 26, we will rewrite history. It is about what UTMA does.
– The fight between S. Maslobojevas and D. Dirksys will be the main event. Would it be strange that E. Stanionis fights in the “co-main” part?
– I don’t think it’s strange. I talked to Eimantas – it shouldn’t be strange. D. Dirksys was the first to fight Rimkenzo at a UTMA event. He has been building up a fight with S. Maslobojevas for four years, so it wouldn’t be right to switch everything around.
- September 26, 2026 “UTMA 19” (Kaunas “Žalgiris” arena);
- October 24, 2026 “UTMA 20” (“Arena Vilnius”);
- November 28, 2026 “UTMA 21” (Kaunas “Žalgiris” arena);
- January 30, 2027 “UTMA 22” (“Arena Vilnius”);
- February 27, 2027 “UTMA 23” (Kaunas “Žalgiris” arena);
- April 24, 2027 “UTMA 24” (Kaunas “Žalgiris” arena);
- September 25, 2027 “UTMA 25” (Kaunas “Žalgiris” arena);
- October 30, 2027 “UTMA 26” (“Arena Vilnius”);
- November 27, 2027 “UTMA 27” (Kaunas “Žalgiris” arena).
Eimantas said that he doesn’t really like D. Dirksys, but when his arm broke, medical contacts came from E. Stanionis. They are not friends and don’t like each other much, but maybe someday they will fight each other?
As of today, 40 fighters are preparing for the UTMA tournament, of which 32–34 are Lithuanians. This provides an opportunity to earn and be seen.
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