OKTAGON 66 kicks off $1 million tournament featuring top European middleweights

OKTAGON 66 is set to Saturday mark the launch of the promotion's $1 million Tipsport Gamechanger tournament in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The exact amount is actually 1 million euros, equating to $1.047 million, with $300,000 going to the winner. Sixteen middleweights will enter, but only one will leave with that bag.

The 16 participants include UFC veterans David Zawada, Krzysztof Jotko, and Andreas Michailidis. DWCS alum Matej Penaz and "TUF 32" cast member Mark Hulme will also partake. The rest of the field is filled out by Vlasto Cepo, Kerim Engizek, Erhan Kartal, Samuel Kristofic, Marek Mazuch, Milos Petrasek, Anthony Salamone, Mick Stanton, Ion Surdu, Piotr Wawrzyniak, and one surprise wild card competitor yet-to-be-named.

The round of 16 matchups include:

• Kerim Engizek (21-4) vs. Anthony Salamone (8-2) – OKTAGON 66, Feb. 1

• Matej Penaz (9-1) vs. David Zawada (19-10) – OKTAGON 66, Feb. 1

• Piotr Wawrzyniak (13-6) vs. Marek Mazuch (9-2) – OKTAGON 67, Feb. 22

• Milos Petrasek (13-7) vs. Mick Stanton (13-8) – OKTAGON 67, Feb. 22

• Vlasto Cepo (12-3) vs. Erhan Kartal (12-2) – OKTAGON 70, April 26

• Pirat Kristofic (17-6) vs. Wildcard (TBA) – OKTAGON 70, April 26

• Ion Surdu (16-6) vs. Krzysztof Jotko (25-6) – Event, Date TBA

• Andreas Michailidis (16-8) vs. Mark Hulme (12-30) – Event, Date TBA

The first round of bouts are expected to be completed April 26, with quarterfinals expected for summer, semifinals expected for fall, and final expected for winter.

The eight fighters that enter the quarterfinal will be randomly given numbers 1-8, which will signify the order in which they can choose their placement on the bracket.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: OKTAGON 66 kicks off $1 million tournament featuring top European middleweights