Denis Frimpong 2-1-0 is an Irish amateur Mixed Martial Artist. An amateur competitor since 2021, representing Manchester Predators. He has competed for Cage Conflict, Iúr Fighting Championships, FCC and is about to make his debut for Preston based organisation UKFC on March 12th.
I’d like to start this off by thanking you for taking the time to speak to me today Denis, I hope training has been going well. I’d also like to congratulate you on your recent fight announcement for UKFC18.
Last we had the pleasure of seeing you in action was at FCC 27 back in December, where you finished your opponent Sam Yates in one of my favourite ways via Rear-naked choke. With this win under your belt, it must be a confidence booster going into March, what were the key moments for you with your war with Sam?
“In regards to confidence, I never didn’t have it, I know how hard I work and I know where my level is compared to most amateur fighters. Didn’t consider the fight with Sam a war per say, I came out without getting hit cleanly once! But I think the key moments were just the striking, striking exchanges, the angles and the movement. He did not have an answer and neither will Callum.”
March 12th is set to be an explosive night at the Imperial Banqueting Suite North in Preston, with exciting bouts being announced daily, the Preston based organisation are putting out all the stops to make UKFC18 a night to remember. You will be taking on Manchester Top Team‘s Callum Connor, an exceptional amateur with a clean record of 4-0-0. Have you done much in the way of research in regards to Callum?
“I’ve watched a couple of his fights briefly, but to be honest my camps consist of me preparing MY game, I don’t care what he does well, I feel I’m the better-rounded fighter and if it goes to the ground we all know what’s gonna happen.”
This will be your first appearance for the UKFC, and from what I’ve seen of your amateur career, the fans in Preston are in for a treat. The UKFC has produced a great platform for up and coming amateurs as well as gifted professionals over the years. Would fighting for them in future events interest you?
“It’s a pleasure to fight on UKFC, it’s a promotion I’ve been aware of even when I was back home in Dublin. And yes I would be looking to fight on it again after March, hopefully for a title, depending on how the promoters feel after they see my skill set live.”
Ireland has produced some of the greatest warriors ever to step into the cage, Frans Mlambo, Danni McCormack, Ian Garry and Conor McGregor. Just a few names there but all have prospered and went on to fill the cage at some of the biggest arenas across the fighting globe. Were there any athletes from your home soil that you looked up to when entertaining the idea of entertaining the sport?
“To be honest I was always a fan of MMA growing up, but where I’m from in Ireland there weren’t (and still aren’t) any MMA gyms, so I didn’t get to start till later in life. I looked up to Anderson Silva, Jon Jones when I was a kid but seeing McGregor win a world title made the vision of being a UFC fighter one day that much more realistic and made me quit athletics and start training martial arts.”
As previously stated, UKFC18 has had some fantastic additions of late. Other than your inclusion on the night, are there any scheduled match-ups in particular that you’re looking forward to witnessing come March 12th?
“Yeah there’s a few good scraps on the card, ones to watch out for are another Predators vs. Top Team scrap, Iran Yaman vs. Dan Holt. Stef Murray also trains a lot in Predators vs Dec Fisher, again from Top Team. You’ve also got another teammate of mine Tom Wright fighting for an ammy title at 135lbs. So it’ll be a good quality card. And I’m sure they have a few other good ones lined up too!”
Last but not least do you have a message for the fans that will be in attendance and anybody you’d like to shout out to?
“I’d like to shout out to all the lads back home in Dublin Combat Academy and East Coast JiuJitsu! Also, like to thank Predators for making me feel welcome in my new home and giving me a place to get good training. And for the fans, don’t blink much cos this won’t be a long fight.”
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