Oktagon 85 Preview: Severino v Khakorov, Frimpong Returns

Oktagon is back in Hamburg this Saturday evening for another fun night of fights. The Barclays Arena will host Oktagon 85 and will feature eleven mixed martial arts bouts, including one for an OKMMA title.

The vacant OKMMA Bantamweight Championship is on the line in the main event of the evening. Igor Severino (9-1) is an ex-UFC fighter who was cut for biting an opponent. The Brazilian’s next move was to sign for Oktagon and defeat challenger Jonas Mågård in a close split decision. Bad luck has befallen him since with five potential fights falling through, and this will be his first appearance since December 2024. The 22-year-old can do it all, he’s a very well rounded submission player who can grab the neck for a choke, or take an arm or leg home with him. On the feet, he’s a fun striker with plenty of power in his hands. All but one of his wins were via finish. Khurshed Kahkorov (13-1) won the 2023 PFL European tournament, a run which included impressive victories over Frans Mlambo and Ali Taleb. The Tajiki splits his training between Xtreme Couture and in Germany. The 33-year-old last outing was a pro boxing win last August, and that’s where he likes to take the fight. He’s got the touch of death in his fists and he’s also got a good kickboxing offence. Nine of his wins were from strikes.

Christian Eckerlin (17-8) is one of his country’s favourite fighters and he’ll be responsible for selling a good chunk of the tickets on the night. The former soccer player trains out of MMA Spirit in Frankfurt, one of Europe’s top gyms. The 39-year-old is a very good wrestler with a great back take and rear naked choke. The German also has a powerful boxing game, scoring six knockouts. Matouš Kohout (12-9) knows his opponent has been stopped by strikes in his last two, and that’s where he’ll want to attack. “The Mighty Rooster” comes from a Muay Thai and kickboxing background and carries a lot of fight experience in various codes. The Czech comes in hot off a huge win against Hafeni Nafuka in November, and he’ll want to use his hands and feet to get this done within the distance. 

Deniz Ilbay (22-3) is a success story out of the UFD Gym in Düsseldorf, transitioning from a successful twenty-five-bout boxing career into MMA. The German has shown a great ability to get the fight to the mat and smash the ground and pound for knockout wins in the cage. The 31-year-old is dangerous to the body and if he catches your liver, it’s over. Only one of his wins went to a finish. Adrian Hamerski (4-2) makes his sophomore appearance for the company and he’s a training partner of KSW champion Patryk Kaczmarczyk. The Pole is an aggressive striker who likes to get to work quickly and display his big power. The Radom man is very game and will gladly get into a scrap, taking one to give one.

Raul Lemberanskij (8-0) is a prospect out of MMA Spirit and he successfully won his debut via decision in September. The 23-year-old was born in Germany and is of Azerbaijani descent. He has a very solid wrestling game that he can use to dominate proceedings, and he’s also got a competent kickboxing game. The finishing touch is still lacking somewhat, but when it clicks he’s on a rocket to the top. Ali Gündüz (6-0) is making his debut and he plied his trade in GMC on the regional scene. The 22-year-old trains out of Gelsenkirchen in the country’s industrial heartland, and he has ability in all facets of the sport. The German has power in his kickboxing game, using his fists to secure three knockout wins early doors. In addition, he’s tapped out two foes with the rear naked choke.

Ruben Wolf (12-13) is a long-time veteran of the sport, debuting back in 2010, facing a who’s who of European heavyweights. The 39-year-old has only had two bouts since 2020, picking up an injury in his last fight in March 2024. The Austrian usually lets his fists do the talking, employing a risky boxing game where he swings big, and it’s either kill or be killed from there, somebody is going down. Olutobi Ayodeji Kalejaiye (9-9) is a man as wild as his opponent. “Mad Dog” has been around since 2009 and also competed in pro kickboxing. The Dutchman got back into MMA last year after a break since 2021, however didn’t have much success. He’s got eight knockouts to his name and he’ll meet his opponent in the centre and swing for the fences.

Marek Bartl (16-15) has won three of his last four bouts, and it looks like he’s found his groove as a professional. The Czech is a very good arm lock player, with multiple armbar and arm-triangle submissions on his résumé. The 32-year-old also loves to box, with massive power early doors. Within short distances, he likes to use vicious elbows and sharp knees. Eight wins have been via strikes. Tyrone Pfeifer (6-1) is a newbie coming in from the regional scene where he was a champion for The Cage, a title he won via kneebar last November. The 27-year-old is well rounded, and he likes to utilise his boxing early on where he throws heavy for the kill, scoring two first round knockouts to date in addition to his two tap out victories. 

Mohammed Walid (8-5) is a man whose record has been blemished by taking extraordinarily difficult fights in his short career. The 30-year-old splits his training with the up-and-coming Aurora gym in Rome and with the likes of Max Holzer in Hannover. The Kurd’s best aspect is his submission game, with a sweet guillotine and slick rear naked choke in his locker. His boxing game isn’t too bad either, having a little bit of pop and two knockout wins as a pro. Abdullah Sultani (4-2) comes in on a three-fight win streak on the regional scene to make his debut. The 24-year-old is a solid wrestler that likes to throw vicious ground and pound. The German is also a decent boxer whose power is dangerous early on. His strength of schedule and experience isn’t a patch on his opponent’s.

Denis Frimpong (7-3) is a great example of Oktagon’s storytelling style and ability to keep fighters active. The Irishman is the type of person you hear before you see, and then he goes out and walks the walk in the cage. “The Menace” splits time between Manchester Top Team under Karl Prince and the Dublin Combat Academy under Collie Mahon. The 31-year-old has won six of his last seven, and has consistently gotten in at least four fights per year since 2023. He’s a patient striker, looking for a moment to go for the kill, but he won’t force it. He’s had a lot of joy with ground and pound lately. Tomáš Cigánik (7-3) gives up a lot of height in this one, coming seven inches below his opponent. The Slovakian has had a lot of success with his submissions so far, is great at taking the back and sinking in the rear naked choke. Four of his pro wins were due to the technique. He’s comes from a kickboxing background, managing distance well, however doesn’t have great power.

Veronika Smolková (8-3) has been on a roll in recent years, and is on a six-fight tear. The Slovakian “Sweetheart” comes from a Muay Thai background and she is a mean, mean striker. The GAMMA veteran is very aggressive, winging in with slicing elbows, vicious knees and a flurry of heavy punches. She’s brave, will stand there and unleash combinations, and she’s really found her rhythm in the cage. Stephanie Egger (8-5) is a seven-fight UFC veteran who has also competed for Invicta and Rizin. The Swiss is a grappler by trade and is a very good wrestler. Once it’s on the mat, the 37-year-old’s two favourite holds are the rear naked choke and armbar. Half her wins were tap outs.

Shawn da Silva (7-1) is a really fun new addition to the roster, coming in from Cage Warriors. Training out of ex-UFC’s Peter Sobotta’s gym in Balingen with lots of talented sparring partners. The German of Brazilian descent is one of the most exciting strikers on the European scene, and is cool as a cucumber doing it. The 30-year-old’s only defeat was to Lon’er Kavanagh, and will be keen to remind people of his striking repertoire after not competing since late 2024. Matheus Severino (14-5) is the brother of the main event’s Igor, and he comes from the famous Chute Box gym. The 28-year-old is a fine boxer who works the head and the body, and he’s won multiple titles on the regional scene. The Brazilian has a wonderful guillotine choke in his arsenal, and he’s a dangerous and aggressive fighter wherever the match goes.

Michael Obodozoe (debut) opens the curtain for the event. The German has competed as an amateur for Oktagon before, scoring a quick knockout in October via right hook. The young man utilised his heavy hands a lot as an amateur, and he’ll be eager to show what he can do in the smaller four ounce gloves. Sebastian Horvath (debut) comes in with some pro boxing and kickboxing experience. When on form, the Slovak throws heavy early and has the power to end it quickly. He does have to be careful with his striking defence as that has cost him in his boxing debut.

Oktagon 85 is live from Hamburg on Saturday night from 17:00 Irish time on Oktagon.tv.