Weight Class: Middleweight
Record: 5-0
Age: 23
Height: 6’4”
Born In: Slovakia
Training Out Of: Mattix MMA
Combined Opponent Records (at the time they fought): 26-21-1
Key Wins: N/A
Less than two years into his professional career and still just 23 years old, Martin Kozák will try to improve to 6-0 when he challenges Łukasz Dziudzia for the Real Fight Arena middleweight title at RFA 30 this weekend.
Kozák began his amateur MMA career in 2020 and stopped his first two opponents before winning three-straight decisions. The unbeaten middleweight closed out his amateur days with a first-round submission in his promotional debut for RFA in 2023, and the following year he also submitted Robert Koky in his first pro outing with Slovakia’s FABRIQ MMA.
“CEO” returned to RFA for his next fight and has been with the promotion every since then, stopping three consecutive opponents with strikes. Kozák most recently fought last November at RFA 26, where he submitted Maicon Kobayashi in the second round to extend his undefeated record and perfect finishing rate.
Standing at 6’4”, Kozák boasts a larger frame for the middleweight division and makes good use of it with his preferred weapons on the feet. A southpaw, he likes to immediately pressure an opponent towards the cage and will rely heavily on his feints before starting to tag them with his jab.
Kozák will start following that jab with a left straight as he gets more comfortable or an opponent starts to cover up. He also likes to attack the inside and outside of his opponent’s lead leg and will stab at their midsection with front kicks, as well as throw up occasional high kicks.
The 23-year-old prefers to be the aggressor in his fights and will try and clip his opposition with a lead hook if they come forward on him. Very strong in the clinch, Kozák can bring things to the mat using trips or by dropping down to his opponent’s hips while they’re engaged along the fence.
Kozák frequently ends up right in half guard once he’s established top position, and he’s more than happy to stay in that spot if he’s unable to work into mount. From half guard, the Slovakian keeps smothering chest pressure and loves to land short elbows and knees to the body while looking for chances to set up an arm triangle. If the opposition does find some space and manages to get to their knees, the Slovakian will make them carry his weight and punish them with punches or jump on their back to lock up a rear naked choke.
Kozák’s age, finishing ability, and physical gifts helped earn him a spot on my list of “10 Middleweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2026“, and middleweight is a division that’s always in need of new talent. This RFA title shot is a solid test for him, as Dziudzia has plenty of experience and has also won three-straight fights against solid competition.
There’s still plenty of time for him to further develop his skills given that he’s only 23, but if “CEO” can secure the RFA middleweight belt and also extend his 100% finishing rate, he’ll be in a strong position to potentially compete on Dana White’s Contender Series later this year.
