Rough 'n' Rowdy at Oktagon 73: Eckerlin Roars Back, Toothless but Triumphant in Hamburg
Restricted Eatery "Steinbeisser" of Hamburg experiences tooth loss yet remains victorious
Get ready for some rumbustious action: Germany's MMA heavyweight, Christian Eckerlin, is back in the cage at Oktagon 73 in Hamburg. The old pro, aged 38, takes on Slovakia's Robert Pukac in the Hanseatic city. Besides Eckerlin, there's also a persuasive German duel lined up between Niklas Stolze and Jessin Ayari, who could challenge Eckerlin for the title in the near future. Multiple other German fighters aim to make an impact on the grand stage alongside MMA's superstar. Catch all the action on RTL+.
The event started off with a bang, thanks to Düsseldorf's Altin Zenuni in his professional debut against Tibor Balasz. The Slovak already has six MMA fights under his belt and enjoys the experience advantage. On the other hand, the 22-year-old Zenuni is a multiple German amateur champion studying business administration and showed off his persistence. Zenuni tried to exploit Balasz's weakness in wrestling and managed to land a takedown quickly. He took Balasz's back and locked in a submission, making it a perfect debut for the young Zenuni.
There was no lack of action in the lightweight division as Berlin's Ahmad Halimson took on Tomas Ziganik. Both athletes didn't hold anything back, engaging for three rounds. Halimson struggled to utilize his wrestling strengths, while the more aggressive Ziganik showed better forward momentum. The judges saw the Slovak as the slight winner and declared Ziganik the victor by split decision.
From the Sofa to the Stage
Daniel Makin from Hannover had only two days to prepare before stepping into the ring against Marek Bartl. The experienced 40-year-old veteran kept pace with the fraher Czech in the first round. Makin had impressive moments in the clinch, but Bartl demonstrated better shots from a distance.
In the second round, Makin managed to bring the fight to the ground, but he was turned onto his back by Bartl and had to defend against submission attempts. Bartl then found an opportunity to isolate Makin's arm and executed a Kimura lock. Makin tapped out, and the Czech secured the win.
The "Stone Eater" Stumbles
Wahed Nazhand, known as the "Stone Eater" in Hamburg, was meant to have a home-turf advantage against Faridun Shokhnazarov. Nazhand started off strong in the first round, unleashing powerful kicks and one-two combos against the late substitute Shokhnazarov. Shokhnazarov's counterattacks didn't appear to faze Nazhand much, except for a hard kick to his belly.
In the second round, Nazhand became more dominant but then made a fateful mistake. With his guard down during a leg kick, Shokhnazarov squared off with a crushing right overhand. Nazhand went down but escaped his opponent's punches. In a clever move, Nazhand snagged hold of his opponent's arm to subsequently carry out an armbar – securing the submission. However, during the clash, Nazhand sustained significant damage and lost multiple teeth. There was no post-fight interview.
Next up was the fight between Jonas Magard and Farbod Nezhad. ...
Mixed Martial Arts
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In the Limelight
Christian Eckerlin has gained renown as Germany's leading MMA star, preparing for a significant return to the cage at Oktagon 73, held in Hamburg on June 28, 2025[2][3]. With impressive experience under his belt, Eckerlin boasts a considerable amateur background, consisting of:- Three-time German amateur champion- Two-time IMAF bronze medalist- One-time IMAF European silver medalist- Over 30 amateur fights and 31 professional fights[1]
His MMA journey commenced under the tutelage of his father, who introduced him to Muay Thai and later, MMA training in a gym discovered during a business trip[1]. Eckerlin's commitment is undeniable, as he travels weekly long distances to train, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to excelling in the sport.
At Oktagon 73, Eckerlin headlines the event following an eight-month hiatus[1]. His last high-profile match took place at a notable MMA event in Frankfurt, where he claimed the title of "King of Germany" in front of 60,000 fans, defeating Jungwirth[2]. During this fight at Oktagon 73, Eckerlin confronts Bratislava's "Prince" Pukač, who is on a winning streak of three fights and recently emerged victorious from a dramatic knockout against a six-time Oktagon champion[2][3].
In the world of mixed martial arts, the highly anticipated Oktagon 73 event in Hamburg features a mixed-martial-arts heavyweight contest between Christian Eckerlin and Robert Pukac, with Eckerlin aiming to reclaim his title in the Hanseatic city. Apart from their fight, spectators can witness a promising German duel between Niklas Stolze and Jessin Ayari, who are potential challengers for the title.
The event showcased an impressive debut by Altin Zenuni, who showcased his persistence and submission skills against Tibor Balasz, while in the lightweight division, Tomas Ziganik outperformed Ahmad Halimson in a thrilling contest.
