Will Fleury

Will Fleury is an Irish mixed martial artist who spent nearly a decade grinding through European promotions and Bellator MMA before finding his true home in Oktagon MMA in 2024. Starting his professional career in 2016, Fleury fought on undercards and smaller stages across BAMMA, Brave CF, the EFC, and Bellator, building a solid record while operating largely outside the mainstream spotlight. A stint in the Professional Fighters League was interrupted by a 2023 doping suspension, after which he redirected his career to Oktagon, where he has since become the promotion's marquee fighter and the second simultaneous two-weight champion in the organization's history. In less than a year, he defeated light heavyweight veteran Karlos Vémola for the 175-pound title in December 2024, then captured the vacant heavyweight crown by decisioning Lazar Todev in March 2025.

Fleury's fighting style is rooted in wrestling and submission grappling, complemented by solid striking and excellent cage awareness. What sets him apart is his willingness and ability to compete at a severe size disadvantage: he regularly fights opponents 20-30 kilos heavier and taller, yet he consistently overcomes them through technical precision, game-planning, and relentless determination. His finishes come across multiple methods - submissions, knockouts, and decisions - reflecting a well-rounded skill set honed over years of adversity. He does not rely on raw athleticism or size but on intelligence, timing, and the ability to execute his game plan under pressure.

The appeal of Will Fleury lies in his underdog narrative and his arrival at a moment when he finally has a platform to prove his worth. After years of fighting in front of small crowds and feeling invisible despite working relentlessly to improve, he has suddenly become the face of Oktagon MMA, headlining major events in front of 20,000 fans and defending titles against former UFC contenders. Fleury speaks openly about the joy of fighting before crowds who actually care after his long drought, and his ambition is rooted not in ego but in a hunger to establish his legacy and prove that a smaller, skilled fighter can compete and win at the highest level. For fans, he represents the vindication of hard work and the belief that dedication to craft matters more than physical gifts. He is currently riding a nine-fight unbeaten streak and has established himself as one of Europe's elite heavyweights, a remarkable leap from the obscure journeyman status he held just two years ago.