# Christian Eckerlin: Brighton's MMA coach and Frankfurt's stadium star

> Christian Eckerlin, 39, helps Brighton train with MMA techniques while fighting in Frankfurt's Waldstadion for 60,000 fans.
- Title: Christian Eckerlin: Brighton's MMA coach and Frankfurt's…
- Summary: Christian Eckerlin, 39, helps Brighton train with MMA techniques while fighting in Frankfurt's Waldstadion for 60,000 fans. Eckerlin's MMA training boosted…
- Keywords: christian eckerlin, brighton, seahawks, nfl, oktagon, martial arts, frankfurt, waldstadion, mma, premier league, set pieces, football
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts/articles/crq8j9572vejo
- Published: 2026-09-26T06:50:40.454+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: christian eckerlin, brighton, seahawks, nfl, oktagon, martial arts, frankfurt, waldstadion, mma, premier league, set pieces, football
## Brighton's set-piece coach
Christian Eckerlin, a 39-year-old MMA fighter, taught Brighton players wrestling and hip control to improve set-pieces.

> The Premier League is more physical, more aggressive, and they don't know how to use their body
## Frankfurt stadium legend
Eckerlin fought in Frankfurt's Waldstadion with nearly 60,000 fans attending his Oktagon 94 event.

> It was my first dream, when I was in the Waldstadion when I was six or seven with my uncle
## MMA career transition
Eckerlin played football from 2005 to 2009 before switching to MMA after leaving German football.

> I got a little bit crazy and partied with friends. But my popularity went down with the coaches
## Brighton's success
Brighton moved up to third in the Premier League after Eckerlin's training improved their set-piece defense.

> Brighton sent me videos of how they defend, and they did nothing with their hips and arms
## Frankfurt dream
Eckerlin's childhood dream was to play for Eintracht Frankfurt, which he now fulfills through MMA.

> It was the dream for me to play there but I thought the fire went out
## Final fight
Eckerlin's Oktagon 94 fight in Frankfurt is likely his last professional bout at age 39.

> I'm at the end of my career, I'm 39, so this is maybe my last fight
## Key takeaway

Eckerlin's MMA training boosted Brighton's set-pieces and he's fighting in Frankfurt for his final career bout.