The Czechoslovak organization Oktagon MMA, which undoubtedly ranks among the top in Europe, is preparing for a big step as it slowly but surely expands to Germany. However, nothing easy awaits the owner of the organization. In an interview with Ruik, Bild journalist Kilian Gaffrey spoke about the German MMA and the possible contribution of the Octagon.
Oktagon promoters Ondřej Novotný and Pavol Neruda have been suggesting for a long time that they would like to establish themselves outside the Czechoslovak market. They started working on it last year, gradually brought in several German fighters, and this year the biggest steps are planned.
In the first place, the reality TV show Oktagon Challenge will take place, which also made the organization visible in Czechoslovakia. In the second row, the tournament will take place in June in Frankfurt, Germany. It will feature not only German stars, but also Czechoslovak legends such as Ivan Buchinger and Carlos Vémola.
The Oktagon Challenge reality show will be broadcast in Germany by Bild, one of the largest German media. Kylian Gaffrey, a journalist for this German daily, who also introduced us to the situation in the German MMA, is also happy about it.
MMA in Germany faces prejudices, it may not be on television until after 10 pm
MMA has been on the rise in recent years. The Czech Republic can also be proof of this, where two relatively large organizations were established in the last decade, which managed to hold tournaments in the O2 arena. To this day, however, only the Octagon has survived, which has developed into an organization of at least European parameters.
However, MMA is not seeing such an increase in popularity in Germany. “It’s been improving in the last 3 to 4 years, but the number one sport is football. Football is getting all the attention, all the other sports are in the background. MMA is becoming more popular thanks to a small but loyal community. It will take a long way to become a sport for the masses in our country. ” spoke for Ruik Kilian Gaffrey.
The journalist of the most widely read German media claims that it is necessary to educate people about MMA in order for the sport to be cleared of prejudice. A large part of the German population does not want to have anything to do with martial arts, the fighters are, according to these people, thugs and criminals. He tries to disprove this image in television broadcasts.
“Bild is almost the only medium in Germany that broadcasts the tournaments of many organizations, such as EMC, Octagon MMA, KSW. DAZN broadcasts the UFC. However, due to the Youth Protection Act, MMA can only be broadcast after 10 pm. ” Gaffrey revealed.
“It simply came to our notice then. Don’t get me wrong, people from Eastern Europe are more suitable for martial arts. It’s in the mentality. We Germans are too strict and calm. Many Germans do not see MMA as a sport, but only as a brutal and criminal thing. Not everyone, but a lot, “ added.
The problem, of course, is that the MMA is being abused to its advantage by right-wing extremists, who are also widely reported in the German media. Similar messages always reach people. The result is that the above-mentioned prejudices arise, even if they are a few stupid individuals.
They are happy in Germany for the arrival of the Octagon. What are the chances of success?
As already mentioned, the Octagon enters the German market and hopes for success. They are also happy about it in Bild. “We are glad that Oktagon is trying to take this step in a huge collaboration. I hope this will help make MMA much more popular in Germany. We need such a large organization to do that. ” confessed to Ruik Kilian Gaffrey.
Bild will broadcast the Oktagon Challenge reality show in Germany. Of course, it will be possible to evaluate the success or failure only after it has been broadcast, but the journalist of the large German media has very good feelings.
“It simply came to our notice then. Our goal was to have big and great matches in Germany. The number of readers, fans and articles is growing. This is the result of the content of Bild. Unfortunately, we are still at the beginning, “ says Gaffrey.
For the first time in its history, Oktagon will cross the Czechoslovak border on June 4, when it will host the OKTAGON 33 tournament in Frankfurt, Germany. The gala evening will be hosted by a beautiful historic hall with a capacity of about 10,000 seats.
“It will definitely be sold out, feel free to bet. Our 4 biggest MMA stars will be at the tournament. Christian Eckerlin and Stephan Pütz are the pioneers of this sport in Germany. We have to do what they do. Educate mainstream. To show that warriors are tough but also smart and kind hard workers. Martin Zawada has been fighting for 20 years, his brother David is a UFC veteran, ” Gaffrey did not hide his positive energy.
It is Christian Eckerlin that has reached 100,000 followers on his YouTube channel this week, nine months later. His videos have over 16 million views. So he does a great and invaluable job.
And what are the chances of the Octagon to succeed in Germany? “The entertainment factor is the key to success. And of course quality matches. The octagon can help us tremendously in this regard. ” Gaffrey finished the conversation.
