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German MMA fighter Christian Eckerlin is preparing for another major crowd in Frankfurt after a three-day visit to help Brighton’s players train for set pieces.
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Christian Eckerlin is due to face Czech fighter David Kozma at Oktagon 94 in Frankfurt on Saturday, with nearly 60,000 spectators expected. The German MMA fighter is returning to the stadium where he fought before a similarly sized crowd in 2024. He has also spent time helping Brighton’s footballers train for set pieces. [1]
Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler invited Eckerlin to work with the players for three days during the previous season. Eckerlin told BBC Sport he taught them wrestling techniques, head and hip control, and how to push back against opponents. He said the sessions worked and “opened doors” for the players, while playing down his overall impact. [1]
Eckerlin beat fellow German Christian Jungwirth at Frankfurt’s Deutsche Bank Park in 2024, before a crowd of nearly 60,000, BBC Sport reported. The venue, also known as the Waldstadion, will host his bout with Kozma. [1]
Eckerlin played professional football from 2005 to 2009, reaching Germany’s third tier with SV Darmstadt before moving into MMA. Now 39, he has said the fight with Kozma might be his last. [1]
1 listed sources · explore evidence, limitations and provenance.
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