Balázs Őze (CombatX): “Hungarian combat sports are in their golden era”

“Hungarian combat sports are in their golden era.” In 2027 CombatX plans a joint event with Slovakia.

Ten years ago he staged his first MMA event in Hungary. Today he is in contact with 16 countries and works with world organizations on four continents. Balázs Őze, professional director of CombatX, talks to Fightportal.sk about the early days, the people behind the organization, CombatX Road To BRAVE on November 13 at MET Aréna in Székesfehérvár, and big plans for 2027 – including a joint event with a Slovak organization in both Hungary and Slovakia.

🇸🇰 Po slovensky · 🇭🇺 Magyarul

1. Balázs, please introduce yourself to our readers. Who is Balázs Őze and how did your journey in combat sports begin?

I am Balázs Őze, professional director of CombatX. I was introduced to martial arts as a child and was captivated right away. My passion for MMA really took off when I attended an MMA event live in Austria – that’s when I decided to organize MMA events in Hungary too. That was 12 years ago, and exactly 10 years ago I organized my first MMA event in Hungary.

2. How did the idea of founding COMBAT X come about? What was the main impulse behind it?

The impulse was that experience in Austria – I wanted fans at home to feel that same atmosphere. From day one it was important to us that Hungarian fighters be recognized not only at home but internationally, and that they belong to the world’s elite. The CombatX name itself was born four years ago.

3. Who stands behind COMBAT X? Are you the sole founder, or is there a wider team of people, partners or investors?

I’m definitely not alone. CombatX would be unimaginable without my friend and partner, who is also the president of our organizing association. The main organizer of CombatX is my wife, Szilvia Őze-Guth, my biggest support not only in our marriage but at our events too. We also have several sponsors who help us from event to event and stand behind us.

4. What does the name COMBAT X stand for? What philosophy and identity do you want to build under this brand?

Besides MMA, our events also featured K-1 and Muay Thai bouts – that’s where the word “Combat” came from. And the “X” means that we are the only ones in Hungary with arenas of this size and the kind of spectacular show that defines our events.

5. What were your beginnings like? What were the biggest challenges in organizing your first events?

In the beginning, the biggest difficulty was probably that MMA wasn’t popular enough in Hungary yet, and the public didn’t know Hungarian fighters – the very fighters we then started giving bouts to in professional MMA.

6. What have you achieved since founding COMBAT X? Which event or moment are you proudest of?

After ten years we have achieved what was our goal from the start. We work with the biggest organizations in the world, which not only provide fighters for our events but also count on Hungarian fighters in their own rosters. That’s what I’m proudest of.

7. How is COMBAT X organized today? Do you have your own permanent team, or do you work with external promoters and production partners?

The CombatX team is built on a friendly community and on the shared passion of all of us – CombatX MMA. That’s why our team works and stays united. The organization is backed by our organizing association, my wife is the main organizer, and our sponsors and international partners play an important role as well.

8. What sets COMBAT X apart from other combat sports organizations? What do you want to offer fans and fighters that’s different?

For fans, we offer arenas and a show that no one else in Hungary has, and besides MMA also K-1 and Muay Thai. For fighters, we offer a route to the world – thanks to our cooperation with global organizations, they can show themselves where the world’s elite is decided.

9. How is the business model of COMBAT X built? What role do partners, sponsors and investors play in the organization’s growth?

Our work is supported by sponsors who help us from event to event. International partnerships are just as important – we are in contact with 16 countries and work with several world organizations on four continents.

10. How do you rate the current level of professional MMA in Hungary? What helps the sport most, and what holds it back?

Hungarian combat sports are now in their golden era. Throughout history our nation has proven countless times that Hungarian fighters are a force to be reckoned with – and now it’s time to show the world once again that Hungarian fighters belong to the world’s elite. The obstacle used to be that MMA wasn’t popular enough and people didn’t know the home fighters. In ten years, that has changed.

11. What role do young and talented fighters play at COMBAT X? Do you want to create a pathway for them to the professional scene?

Yes, a big one. My message to up-and-coming fighters: once you have competed in several amateur competitions, our doors will always be open to support your professional career. That’s why in 2027 we will also hold a special event for amateurs that will give them not only prize money but also a contract to start building their professional careers.

12. What are your plans for 2027? Can fans expect new events, interesting names or new projects?

2027 will be a big year for us. One of our big plans is a joint event with a Slovak organization – in both Hungary and Slovakia. In Hungary, we want to stage the biggest MMA event in Central Europe in 2027, and we are working toward hosting a full BRAVE CF event in Hungary. And we are preparing the special amateur event with prize money and a professional contract.

13. Does COMBAT X have international ambitions? How do you see the organization growing beyond Hungary?

We already operate internationally – we are in contact with 16 countries and work with several world organizations on four continents. We consider BRAVE CF an outstanding partner; together we are organizing CombatX Road To BRAVE on November 13 at MET Aréna in Székesfehérvár, within the framework of a foundation. There will be live TV coverage, and the event will also be shown on BRAVE’s own channel.

“We are proud to work alongside BRAVE CF to give Hungarian fighters an international platform. This is just the beginning, as we work toward hosting a full BRAVE CF event in Hungary in 2027.”

CombatX Road To BRAVE
November 13 · MET Aréna, Székesfehérvár
On the card: Ádám Horváth 🇭🇺, Tímea Bélik 🇭🇺, Balázs Kiss 🇭🇺, Lajos Papp 🇸🇰, Tarhan Ibragimov 🇦🇹
Tickets: Onlyticket

14. Where would you like to see COMBAT X in three to five years? What would you personally consider the greatest success?

What does CombatX mean to me? I would say this: throughout history our nation has proven countless times that Hungarian fighters are a force to be reckoned with. I want CombatX to be the place from which Hungarian fighters launch into the world elite, and I want us to stage the biggest MMA events in Central Europe. That would be the greatest success for me.

15. Finally, what would you tell combat sports fans, and why should they follow COMBAT X in the coming years?

Hungarian combat sports are in their golden era, and CombatX wants to be there when Hungarian fighters show the world once again that they belong to the elite. Follow us – on November 13 at CombatX Road To BRAVE in Székesfehérvár, and in 2027 at the biggest MMA event in Central Europe and at our joint event with Slovakia.

By Mgr. Ing. Marek Herda, Fightportal.sk · Photos: CombatX