Oktagon MMA Star Helps Premier League Club Improve Set-Piece Defence

The 39-year-old former footballer has been assisting the Seagulls for several months, as midfielder Jack Hinshelwood revealed to the BBC last week. Brighton has conceded 13 goals from set-pieces this season, accounting for a third of all goals conceded.

"It was a few months ago. We brought him in because we've been talking a lot about set-pieces, blocking, and new trends in the Premier League. I don't want us to be seen as a 'nice' team. At certain moments, you have to be very resilient in individual duels.

An MMA fighter constantly engages in one-on-one battles. They always have to find a way to overcome their opponent. We try to draw ideas from other sports, and this was one of them. If it sticks with the players, it's always a positive," Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler was quoted by the BBC.

Eckerlin is one of the prominent figures of the Oktagon organization, which originated in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and has gradually expanded across Europe, regularly hosting events in Germany and also venturing into the UK and Poland. Eckerlin was a central figure in its expansion into Germany.