Christian Eckerlin, a 39-year-old mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, was brought in by Brighton & Hove Albion during the previous season to help train their players for set-pieces—specific moments in a football match such as corners and free kicks. Eckerlin previously played professional football in Germany before switching to MMA. He taught the Brighton players techniques like wrestling, head control, and hip control, helping them to better defend against opponents. Days before an interview with Eckerlin, Brighton had risen to third in the Premier League after a 3-0 victory over Arsenal. Eckerlin said his training "opened doors" for the players, explaining that the Premier League is more physical and aggressive, and the players were not using their bodies effectively. Brighton sent him videos of their defensive strategies, which showed they weren't using their hips and arms properly. Eckerlin conducted sessions in the weightlifting room before moving to the pitch for practical training. Eckerlin played professional football from 2005 to 2009, mainly for SV Darmstadt in the third tier of German football. As a young player, he supported Eintracht Frankfurt and felt his dream of playing for them was over when he left football. However, MMA, particularly the European promotion Oktagon, helped fulfill his dream. In 2024, Eckerlin defeated fellow German Christian Jungwirth at Frankfurt's Deutsche Bank Park in front of nearly 60,000 fans, marking the most-attended MMA event of the year. He is set to return to the same stadium for a second time to face David Kozma at Oktagon 94, with nearly 60,000 fans expected again. Eckerlin reflects on his childhood dream of playing at the Waldstadion, which he believed was lost when he left football. He now sees his MMA career as a fulfillment of that dream. He mentions he is nearing the end of his career and this fight may be his last. Eckerlin knows Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler through a friend and was invited to Brighton, where he spent three days with the players. He notes that all the players benefited from the MMA techniques he taught, but Danny Welbeck, James Milner, and Lewis Dunk had a particular feel for it. Eckerlin grew up in Erbach, a small town outside Frankfurt, where football was his first passion. He played against future stars such as Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mats Hummels but left football at age 20 after a disagreement with his coaches. He transitioned to MMA and has grown his following through his YouTube channel. He is well-known in Frankfurt and other major German cities. With nearly 60,000 fans expected for his upcoming fight, it is likely to be the most well-attended MMA event of the year again. Eckerlin remains focused on his current career and reflects on his impact on MMA in Germany, stating that he loves the sport and has pushed it more than anyone before him.