Jakub Tichota’s sixth appearance within the framework of the Oktagon MMA professional organization awaits him this weekend in Ostrava. He dominated the previous five, now Georgia partner Mate Sanikidze stands in his way for the featherweight title belt.

“This is a big step for me, very important. I plan to win the Octagon title, which already has a name on the world stage. I am constantly improving, I will not slow down or stagnate. I believe that is the key to moving higher and higher. Except for the UFC title ,” said Tichota in an interview with Aktuálně.cz.

He promised fans they would see a beefed-up Jakub Tichota on Saturday.

“I grow with every match and preparation. Physically, mentally and technically. I try to keep going, not stay in one place, that’s why I’m always in better shape than the previous game,” said the striker who went by the nickname Chimpanzee .

It was created when he was young and traveling with his parents for their work project to Tanzania, where he lived for a time.

“During this period, I befriended the local chimpanzees in the reserve, who started to think of me as one of their own. They were my best friends at the time and overall I had the opportunity to absorb their energy, which I still hold on to. Somehow I’m already a little chimp left in itself,” explains the origin of his nickname.

Tichota is a thoughtful and goal-oriented guy, until recently he attended college and he is a phenomenon in the world of mixed martial arts. Although he himself says that there are already more students in the MMA environment than in the past.

“Today’s MMA moves and makes you think about it. It’s a mix of many fighting styles, so to excel you need to understand this comprehensive sport and keep learning,” he says.

He often brings his school for training. “When I do homework in between training, I have to look like a nerd,” laughs the promising fighter, who has been involved in fighting sports since childhood.

He started karate at the age of seven and became a national champion. “It really absorbed me, but then I was looking for something more relatable,” admits Tichota.

He turned to MMA in 2011. At the age of fourteen, he had his first sharpshooter against a twenty-six year old opponent. He lost points, but broke a growing sap nose.

Even then he showed enormous potential, experts today praise his complexity and fighting IQ. He even trained the children himself.

“Personally, I try to be as comprehensive as possible, I see this as a very strong point. I also rely on discipline and diligently study all the details of MMA. I try to turn my weaknesses into my strengths, ideally none. Physically, I’ll probably get stronger over time,” the Reinders Gym rep messaged future opponents.