A bittersweet evening for home MMA. Czechoslovak fighters did not do well in the main program of Octagon 60. Matouš Kohout and Ivan Buchinger in the two highest ranking matches both fell by first round KO. In Oberhausen, Germany, only the elite pole vaulter Jakub Bahník was happy, as he defeated the favorite Mohamed Grabinski, thereby ending his two-year winning fast. Immediately after the triumph, he talked about the controversial Irishman Shem Rock, with whom he would like to fight at the December event at the O2 arena.
Hard falls and redemption. Jakub Bahník became the most successful fighter from the Czechoslovak expedition at Octagon 60 in Oberhausen, who was able to outbox the feared German finisher Mohamed Grabinski. He put the finishing touches to a two-year period in which he struggled with injury, a brutal foul and a controversial loss. The German mission ended in failure for Ivan Buchinger and Matouš Kohout.
Bahník’s dark career period, when the results did not match his qualities, is coming to an end. At the same time, he did not choose a starting opponent for his comeback, but a leading German fighter, who also successfully introduced himself in Tipsport Gamechanger. “It’s an amazing feeling. I was a bit unlucky in those matches, but what happened, happened… I’m happy that the two years without a win are behind me,” said Bahník with a smile.
After the hard-fought victory on points, champion Patrik Kincl’s ward does not plan a long break. “I have a lot of fighters in my head that I would like to fight. I would like to fight Shem Rock in Prague in the O2 arena in December,” Bahník challenged the hated Irishman, who finished off his teammate in the last match, on the home stage. “I was supposed to play against him in the past, but I got injured. Now we can finally meet,” he added.
The legendary Buchinger also wanted to add a third finish in a row in Oberhausen. However, in the main hit of the evening, he misread the distance and unnecessarily conceded hard backhand blows, with which the local Lom-Ali Eskiev caught him. After four minutes, the match was decided by a brutal volley that sent the former world champion to the ground.
“Initially I wanted to fight the whole five rounds, the KO came a little by itself. But Buchinger could no longer. He was bleeding profusely and almost spit out the mouthguard… I thought he might get away with it. But he was very naked,” Eskiev, who previously had success and fought for the title in the rival KSW league, looked back on the duel.
He wants to establish himself quickly in his new job. “As far as physical condition is concerned, I can easily start in a month in Frankfurt,” he announced at the press conference and challenged compatriot Eduard Kexel. Newcomer Eskiev is on the threshold of world 100 after his win over Buchinger and belongs to the best German fighters. “Obviously, I feel like I have a chance to win a title in the Octagon. However, I want to earn it, collect the necessary winnings. I wouldn’t like to jump over someone with the first victory,” he said.
The Roosters’ ambitions at the top of the division will have to wait. Niklas Stolze of the home team succeeded in the expected postural clash, and this was one of the best KOs this year. First, he shook the Czech striker with a knee, after which he sent him to the ground with a well-hit combination of front and back punches. After victories over Jan Janka, Andrej Kalashnik and Kohout, the German claimed another famous name on the Czech scene. “I think David Kozma is the biggest star in the Octagon, plus green against pink – that could be great,” he smiled after his triumph.
