The most important questions and answers about the MMA mega event in Frankfurt | hessenschau.de

The martial arts scene is looking to Frankfurt this Saturday. More than 58,000 fans come together in the Waldstadion to watch the MMA spectacle Eckerlin vs. Jungwirth. It starts at 5 p.m. Here you can find the most important information about the event.

What is MMA anyway?

Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA for short, is a young martial art that developed in the USA in the early 1990s. The trigger was actually a competition between various sports such as boxing, karate or jiu-jitsu to choose the best fighter – based on the model of action films like Bloodsports.

MMA is now a martial arts art in its own right that can be trained in many fitness studios in Germany. It’s all about the balance of different techniques. Skills in kickboxing, wrestling and Jiu Jitsu are considered the core. Although almost all striking and ground fighting techniques are allowed, there are clear rules in MMA. For example, hitting the genitals, grabbing the eye or hitting the head are prohibited. The fight takes place in three or five rounds of five minutes each. The winner is chosen either by knockout, a submission, such as a chokehold, or by a score from the judges.

What makes the event in Frankfurt special?

While the UFC dominates the MMA market worldwide and has produced well-known stars like Conor McGregor, the sport is even smaller in Europe. But that has also changed in recent years, with the promoter Oktagon in particular recently presenting increasingly larger events.

With the fight evening on Saturday, MMA in Germany is now reaching a different weight class. So far, only Muhammad Ali (1966 against Karl Mildenberger) and Wladmir Klitschko (2010 against Samuel Peters) have filled the Frankfurt Arena with martial arts events. And both will be significantly exceeded by the at least 58,000 expected spectators. Oktagon is even talking about a new record for a pure MMA event.

What can fans expect at the Waldstadion on Saturday?

In total there are eleven fights on the so-called fight card. The highlight is the duel between the two most prominent German octagon fighters, Christian Eckerlin and Christian Jungwirth. There are also two title fights, one in the middleweight division between champion Patrick Kincl and Kerim Engizek, and in the women’s strawweight division between title holder Katharina Dalisda and Mallory Martin. Of course, this is not for the faint of heart: In MMA, blood is the order of the day, and even if you get knocked down, the fight continues – unlike in boxing.

In addition to the program in the ring, the organizer also promises an event around the stadium. As with the NFL visit last November, there will be a fan zone with various food offerings, hands-on activities and information stands. The zone is open from 2 p.m., the fight evening starts at 5 p.m. Depending on the duration of the fights, the main fight will take place around 11 p.m.

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What does all this have to do with red lights, hooligans and Hells Angels?

Martial arts has many milieu references, and the show in Frankfurt is no exception. For local hero Eckerlin, the list reads as follows: member of the Hells Angels, operator of a striptease bar and former member of the “active” Eintracht fan scene. The 37-year-old is open about this lifestyle. It’s not forbidden, but of course it doesn’t contradict the shady image.

It is similar with opponent Christian Jungwirth, who was active in the VfB Stuttgart hooligan scene before becoming an MMA professional. Jungwirth speaks openly about past mistakes, such as a saying by the Nazi Rudolf Hess that once adorned his chest. “This tattoo was definitely one of the biggest stupid ideas in my life,” Jungwirth told the SWR in addition. He didn’t think about the source of the saying. “I grew up with foreigners, my mother is Serbian – I have nothing to do with this ideology.”

“The personal stories and backgrounds of the fighters are part of their individual journeys, but they do not define the values ​​and mission of OKTAGON MMA,” says the promoter when asked. People firmly believe in the possibility of a second chance and sport in particular has given many people a decisive turning point. “The cage saved my life,” said Jungwirth. As an organization, we have also set strict guidelines so that athletes share and live by transparency, values ​​and respect.

And who will be the “King of Germany”?

“The King of Germany”, this fictional title was thought up by the promoter for the duel Eckerlin against Jungwirth. But who took victory now? On paper, almost everything speaks for Eckerlin. The Frankfurter is the more experienced fighter, has more victories by knockout or submission (submission term) and is therefore the favorite.

But you shouldn’t underestimate Jungwirth. The self-proclaimed “Immortal Celt” has a strong will and outstanding fitness. In addition, he has also improved technically in his last battles, as his colleagues from SWR emphasize, the Jungwirth in a documentary series worth seeing accompany. If the home game atmosphere makes Eckerlin too nervous or he has problems at the end of the fight, then Jungwirth’s hour could come.

Editor:
Philipp Schmid

Broadcast:
hr television, hessenschau,

10/12/24, 7:30 p.m

Source: hessenschau.de

Published 10/10/24 at 2:06 p.m