Denis Frimpong turned heads and silenced critics with an impressive performance at Oktagon 68, claiming a decisive unanimous decision victory over Germany’s up-and-comer, Robin Frank.
Leading up to the bout, Frimpong, hailing from Ireland, faced his share of skepticism. Much of the doubt stemmed from a widely discussed sparring session with Paddy Pimblett, where Frimpong was bested. Additionally, his previous fight was heavily criticized for being a mismatch.
This time, Frimpong harnessed all the negativity aimed at him and transformed it into a powerful statement in the ring. The judges awarded him with two 30-27 scores and a commanding 30-26, a testament to how he controlled the fight. It seemed Frimpong had managed to get into Robin Frank’s head even before stepping into the ring, and once there, his dominance spoke volumes.
Afterwards, Frimpong shared his “Project Jon Jones” plan. With a child expected at the end of May, he took this fight, during Ramadan no less, to stay active and provide for his family. He’s eyeing another bout in late April to further support his soon-to-be-born baby, aiming to buy essentials like a stroller and a cot.
This victory has propelled Frimpong closer to the top ten rankings. A bout with a ranked opponent is certainly within reach. Yet, it seems Frimpong is targeting a specific foe: Arjan Topallaj. Initially, Topallaj was slated to fight him at Oktagon 68 but had to withdraw due to a staph infection.
Their rivalry didn’t end there. The two lightweights had a tense encounter in the VIP section, marked by a shove and the challenge, “Let’s fight now,” from Topallaj. Though security quickly diffused the situation, a future match-up appears to be on the horizon. Their clash could take place during the late April Oktagon MMA event in Karlovy Vary or perhaps in Munich in May, aligning with the birth of Frimpong’s child.
