When OKTAGON 78 lands in Frankfurt, Germany, all eyes will turn to Croatian veteran Ivica Trušček, who meets hometown favorite Christian Eckerlin. For Trušček, this matchup isn’t about hype or hostility—it’s about precision, pressure, and proving that calm still conquers chaos inside the cage.
OKTAGON MMA’s latest card continues the promotion’s European surge, filling arenas and producing breakout moments for regional stars. The Frankfurt crowd is expected to be electric, with local pride on the line. Trušček, long respected for his toughness and fight IQ, arrives as the dangerous spoiler eager to test another crowd favorite.
A Veteran’s Mindset Ahead of OKTAGON 78
“First fight or ninetieth, the question is the same,” Trušček told MMA Sucka. “Who’s the better no-rules, everything-goes fighter?”
Image: OKTAGON MMA.
“My love for the game and competition has not changed and probably never will,” he added. That drive fuels every camp. Experience hasn’t dulled his hunger; it’s refined it. Years inside cages across Europe have taught him pacing, patience, and preparation—the small edges that separate veterans from newcomers.
Facing Christian Eckerlin on Home Soil at OKTAGON 78
Trušček has faced elite opponents across the continent, but he knows Eckerlin brings hometown momentum and expectation in OKTAGON 78.
“I fought the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet—Eckerlin is not that, but he brings a lot to deal with,” Trušček said. “I’m not coming without my bag of tricks either. Everything is possible, and that’s what’s so interesting about MMA to me.”
Eckerlin’s loyal German fans will fill the arena, but Trušček isn’t rattled. He sees the crowd’s energy as something to use, not to fear, turning pressure into motivation.
Defensive Precision Over Brawling in OKTAGON 78
“I don’t consider myself a brawler,” Trušček explained. “I’m proud to have only a couple of TKO losses and zero KOs.”
For him, defense is strategy—not survival. Across dozens of bouts, his composure under fire has become a trademark. “That’s because my defense is solid,” he said. “I know how to stay calm, keep distance, and pick my moments.”
That steadiness makes Trušček a proving ground for prospects. His ability to absorb pressure and answer back turns potential highlights into lessons.
Thriving Away From Home
Trušček actually prefers being the outsider. “I get to throw out all of my ‘f*** you’ bad energy,” he said with a grin. “All the pressure is on my opponent not to disappoint the fans.”
That reversal—his calm versus their anxiety—often wins the mental battle before the first exchange. While the hometown favorite shoulders expectation, Trušček walks in loose, focused, and dangerous.
“All the pressure is on my opponent, not me.”
The Plan: Control, Timing, and the ‘Bear Trap’
Against Eckerlin, Trušček plans to blend sharp striking with timely takedowns and patience. “Control with my striking and takedowns, and cold precision once he gets desperate,” he summarized.
His trademark move—the guillotine he calls “the bear trap”—usually appears when opponents panic trying to escape his top control. “That’s when they reach,” he said. “And that’s when I finish.”
He’s ended plenty of fights that way: steady setups, smooth transitions, and a squeeze that closes every exit. It’s not flashy—it’s efficient, the mark of a fighter who trusts his craft completely.
What Keeps Him Going Ahead of OKTAGON 78
For Trušček, the fight game still feels new. Whether it’s the first or the ninetieth, the appeal is the same: test yourself, adapt, evolve.
“I’m more relaxed now,” he said. “I fight because I still love it, not because I need to prove something.”
That composure may be his sharpest weapon yet—and in Frankfurt during OKTAGON 78, he intends to prove it once again.
OKTAGON 78 Event Info
Event: OKTAGON 78 – Christian Eckerlin vs. Ivica Trušček
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2025
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
How to Watch: Live on OKTAGON.TV
📌 Reporting Note: Interview conducted via written correspondence on October 7, 2025.