Kazakh MMA fighter and actor Yerkebulan Toktar (10-3) has become the first holder of the media belt BMF in the history of domestic mixed martial arts. The 29-year-old athlete will headline the tournament OCTAGON 70 and achieved a dominant victory over another star. A correspondent from Vesti.kz reports on Toktar's success and his future prospects in the fighting world.
The title fight, organized by the OCTAGON league, took place over five rounds between two league stars with a large fan base. The match featured representatives from the lightweight division - Kazakh Toktar and Tajikistan's Kamariddin Khasanov (7-3), known by the nickname Kamil Karate .
The bout concluded in the fourth round when Toktar knocked Kamil down again, breaking his jaw. Prior to this, Yerkebulan had repeatedly sent his opponent to the canvas but allowed him to rise.
Toktar Quickly Became a Major Star in Kazakh Sports
Yerkebulan began competing in MMA fights in the summer of 2021. Almost all of his matches have taken place under the auspices of OCTAGON. From fight to fight, the actor's popularity among MMA viewers has only grown. Meanwhile, he also managed to participate in boxing and bare-knuckle fights.
Only one of his ten victories was decided by judges, while all others ended in knockouts. Toktar, whose foundation is boxing, always aims to deliver excitement and uncompromising stand-up battles for the audience. It's worth noting that he has only lost to submissions and chokes. Moreover, he has avenged two of his losses, but he never faced the third opponent, despite requesting a rematch from the OCTAGON league.
Winning the BMF belt is, in fact, a testament to Yerkebulan's progress. What initially seemed like a fleeting show has grown into a full-fledged fighting career. Toktar has truly elevated his skills to a commendable level.
Why He Doesn’t Have a Bright Future in MMA? It's Quite Simple
When we talk about a bright future, we mean a career in major overseas leagues and success at the international level. Toktar is unlikely to achieve this with a 99 percent probability. First and foremost, one must consider Yerkebulan's priorities.
He has repeatedly stated that fighting is primarily a source of additional income for him, as his acting career does not always allow him to live without counting pennies. In search of extra funds for himself and his family, Toktar participates in fights.
Where else can we find a case like Yerkebulan's? Currently, the film "Arlan. The Decisive Round" is in its final showing days in theaters, where Toktar plays the lead role and fights an opponent portrayed by the star of the series "Word of a Guy. Blood on the Asphalt," Nikita Kologrivyy . At the same time, the film's main character is engaged in a real MMA fight in one of Kazakhstan's leading leagues.
Furthermore, he has significant plans in his primary field - cinema. Last year, he traveled to Hollywood (California, USA), which he informed his followers about on social media. Yerkebulan shared that his big dream is starting to come true. It’s clear that his primary focus is on a career in film. If things go well there, it’s unlikely he will appear as frequently in the octagon or ring.
Another important factor is his skills and training background. In terms of fighting, Yerkebulan is largely self-taught. He has met good coaches, but at a relatively late age to start a significant career in MMA. Of course, Toktar has put in a lot of work, has grown as a fighter, and has become a dangerous striker. But everything is relative.
In the OCTAGON league, few can match him in stand-up competition. However, he has faced considerable difficulties against wrestlers and grapplers. It’s unlikely Toktar has a strong desire to improve his grappling. It's much easier for him to create excitement for fans and arrange bouts with other strikers. This is beneficial for both him and the league.
Unfortunately, Toktar will not pursue greater sports ambitions. He is content to be the holder of the BMF belt and headline OCTAGON tournaments. In this capacity, he can continue to dedicate himself to sports alongside his film career. However, he won't seek to elevate the level of competition, transition to other promotions, or become a versatile fighter.
Moreover, even in yesterday's fight against Khasanov, it was visibly evident that Toktar was already gasping for breath by the third round. His opponent was no less fatigued. This indicates they were not prepared for the full distance of 25 minutes, further underscoring the level of competition. To compete at the highest level, fighting must take priority, and all efforts should be dedicated to it. However, Yerkebulan does not need this, and he does not hide it.
Nevertheless, this is sufficient for the viewers. Now the question arises: who will Toktar fight in his next match? And how long will it be before we see it?
There should be many contenders, as stepping into the cage with Yerkebulan is a significant opportunity to wake up a star the next day. Fights involving the actor garner massive viewership, so it's no surprise he is already headlining events and competing for belts.