Gökhan's Story

Kufstein, Tyrol. This is where Gökhan Aksu is born as the son of Turkish immigrants - but his story begins 2,500 kilometres away. Because their work leaves no other choice, his parents send their son to Turkey at just five months old. With his grandparents in Aybastı, a small town in the Ordu region on Turkey's Black Sea coast, Gökhan spends his first years.

At five he returns to Kufstein - to a home he still has to get to know. Growing up between two cultures, two languages, two worlds, he finds early the place where none of that matters: the training mat. In Muay Thai he discovers his passion - and a language understood everywhere.

When Gökhan carries the Turkish flag after his wins today, it is not a show piece. It is the story of a child from the Black Sea who found his path in Tyrol.

At 18 Gökhan starts his MMA career - without funding, without sponsors, without shortcuts. To pay for training, camps and his family he works in Austrian hospitality. In 2013 he steps into the cage for the first time at Aggrelin - and loses.

For many that would have been the end. For Gökhan it is the beginning. The loss becomes fuel: he commits fully to MMA - with one clear goal: become a pro.

The path in Tyrol is rocky. MMA is still a niche sport in Austria, and Kaiser Gym Kufstein lacks experienced partners at his level. So Gökhan does what almost no one would: on Fridays he works until noon - then he gets in the car and drives to Innsbruck or Vienna to train all weekend. Week after week. Year after year.

Later he changes jobs and becomes a truck driver - not because it is easier, but because it fits two training sessions a day. Mornings the truck, in between and after the gym. No plan B. No excuses.

The work pays off. In 2018 Gökhan crowns himself Lightweight Champion of the Austrian Fighting Championship with a second-round win over Ahmedin Fajić. Only a year later, in December 2019, he adds the organization's welterweight title with a win over Michael Rirsch. Two weight classes, two belts.

In 2023 the third title follows: at Innferno Gökhan beats Ahmad Halimson - who also fights at OKTAGON today - in the first round and becomes Innferno Lightweight Champion.

Three titles, one pattern: when Gökhan wins, he finishes early. His pro MMA record stands at 14-7-1. To this day he has ended every single one of his wins before the final bell - by KO or submission. A 100 percent finish rate that is rare in MMA.

In 2020 Gökhan makes the decision that changes his career: he joins MAA Rosenheim under coach Refik Salih. For the first time he trains full-time with partners at the highest level - and the jump is immediate.

At his side: Endrit Brajshori - training partner, companion and, for Gökhan, like a brother. For years the two take every step together, through every camp, every prep, every setback. To understand Gökhan's success you have to understand this team.

In 2024 he makes the jump he has worked toward for more than a decade: OKTAGON MMA - Europe's biggest MMA organization, with sold-out arenas, a million-strong audience via RTL+ and OKTAGON.TV, and broadcasts into Turkey on S Sport Plus.

His debut? Typical Abinator: a win over the experienced Jan Malach.

And behind him is a movement: Team Abinator - around 500 fans who travel by bus to his fights and turn every arena into a home venue.

Early in 2026 Gökhan makes the bravest decision of his life: he quits his job as a truck driver. After more than a decade of full-time work and pro sport in parallel, he puts everything on one card - for the one goal still missing:

The OKTAGON title.

No more steady income. No safety net. Just two sessions a day, a team that believes in him - and a dream he has worked his whole life for.

This story is not finished. It is only just beginning.