In a recent exclusive interview with Buzzer, renowned Bosnian MMA fighter Erko Jun opened up about his upcoming championship bout, rigorous training regimen, and his journey toward potentially securing a second title in the Brave Combat Federation.
Erko Jun, one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's most prominent MMA fighters and an early member of the Buzzer app community, is preparing for a pivotal moment in his career. The fighter is set to compete in the 84 kg (middleweight) category, with the opportunity to claim his second championship belt in Brave CF.
"This would be my second belt in Brave, which is a huge deal, especially for Bosnia and Herzegovina," Jun stated during the interview. "It's a big thing for me personally."
His opponent, Mohammad Fakhreddine, presents a significant challenge. Fakhreddine notably holds the distinction of being the only fighter with double belts in Brave CF history, making this championship matchup particularly meaningful for Erko.
When asked about his preparation, Jun revealed that his training camp has progressed smoothly. "Thank God I haven't had any serious injuries. As you know, in every fight camp, something minor happens, but everything has been OK, super," he explained.
The weight cut process has been a crucial aspect of his preparation. Moving from his natural light heavyweight division, Jun emphasized the strategic importance of this transition:
"I think this weight class might suit me better, considering everyone at 93 kg is a bit bigger. You always have a slight disadvantage there. Here, I'll literally be in my element."
Jun has taken a methodical approach to his weight management, with only six kilograms remaining to cut during fight week. "Better safe than sorry. I'd rather be heavier than risk it for a few kilos," he explained, demonstrating the wisdom gained from experience.
A significant factor in Erko's preparation has been his training with elite partners, particularly former ONE FC champion Reinier de Ridder. The Bosnian fighter spoke highly of his training partner:
"I have to tell you, I've trained with many people everywhere, but this guy is something special. You know, you get one in a million."
This partnership has allowed Jun to step outside his comfort zone and improve his ground game:
"My best part has always been stand-up. So I went out of my comfort zone and did a lot of work with Reinier and that team who are at the top. Especially regarding ground control and submissions, which was something I was slightly missing."
Despite the demanding nature of his training camp, Jun maintains a strong connection to his roots and family. He commutes an hour each way to his training facility, explaining:
The fighter emphasized the importance of family in his decision-making process, noting that he wouldn't pursue certain opportunities if they required him to be away from his family without adequate training partners.
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Jun expressed humility and surprise at his current position:
"I was building my path, I had some visions in my head. I never expected that I would fight for a second belt in Brave or that I would somehow become a champion. If you had asked me that five or four years ago, never."
However, his approach has been methodical and determined: "I'm building my own path. Everything is going according to plan, and I think the most important thing is that I always came back. No matter what happened, I always returned to the gym and progressed."
As the interview concluded, the anticipation for the upcoming fight was palpable. This Saturday, all of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be watching as Erko Jun steps into the cage, potentially making history as a two-division champion in Brave CF.
With his disciplined approach to training, strategic weight management, and elite preparation partners, Jun appears ready to seize this opportunity and continue building his legacy in the sport.
The entire Bosnian MMA community will be rooting for their champion this weekend as he aims to etch his name further into Brave CF history with a second championship belt.