Oktagon MMA now has a Sam “Urai” at the top of their 125-pound division, thanks to Sam Creasey’s superb performance to defeat Aaron Aby for the vacant flyweight title at Oktagon 56.

Creasey defeated a game Aby after five competitive rounds at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, winning every round on all three scorecards to capture a major European title for the second time, having captured the Cage Warriors 125-pound title earlier in his career.

“The feeling is unmatched,” he told Oktagon commentator Bryan Lacey in the cage after his championship-winning performance, before taking the opportunity to praise his defeated opponent.

“On one hand, it’s pure elation to confirm my place as a world class athlete. But that man still stood in front of me at the end of those five rounds – I know what he’s been through in life, right? And I’ve been on the wrong end of title decisions like this, so I know how he feels, and that’s rock bottom. I’ve been there with him, so hats off to that man, let’s give him a round of applause.”

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The win may have given Creasey a second victory over Aby, with the pair having met in Cage Warriors back in 2021. But, despite the wide nature of the scores, Creasey said that his victory was anything but easy, as he credited the Welshman for the improvements he’d made since their first meeting.

“(He was) Really good. Every single takedown that was effective against him in the last fight didn’t work!” he laughed.

“I had to go to Plan B a few times. What I enjoyed getting off was a little bit more on my feet, relaxing on the job a little bit more. I could hear everybody telling me to keep my hands up, so I was trying to do that a little bit, as much as I could, and not enjoy myself so much.

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“But I got to display a little bit more of who I am, and show why I’m a world class athlete.”

Creasey’s win improved his record to 19-5, with the 36-year-old later vowing to defend the belt against anyone the promotion can find to challenge him.