Dutch MMA icon Gilbert Yvel is preparing for his return to the ring on October 11, 2025, at the KOK’127 World Series event in Riga. The veteran fighter, who built his reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers of his generation, will face Latvian star Arturs Skabarnieks in what promises to be one of the most talked-about matchups of the night.

Yvel, now a seasoned figure in the sport, has never shied away from making bold statements, and his latest interview has stirred plenty of attention. Speaking about today’s generation of fighters, he delivered a scathing assessment: “The fighters from this generation, they are all pu****s. They have no backbones, there’s always something. The time of real men is from my time.”

The remark not only added fuel to his rivalry with Skabarnieks but also reignited a wider debate in the fight world about how much the sport has changed over the years. While many see modern fighters as more technical and well-rounded, Yvel insists that the grit and toughness of his era cannot be matched.

Tickets for KOK World Series 127 on October 11 d. at Xiaomi Arēna, Riga are available now: KOK World Series’ 127 – 11.10.2025 – Xiaomi Arēna – Biļešu Serviss