Influencers who drive their “mischief” in martial arts are nothing new, YouTube icon Jake Paul greets from American boxing rings. Also with the MMA spectacle Oktagon 69 in Dortmund on Saturday (Live on RTL+) If there is a duel between two social media stars: Flying Uwe meets “Den Breiten” in the cage on Ediz.
“Two weeks of vacation, I get a guilty conscience,” says Uwe Schüder. The YouTuber and entrepreneur always has to have something to do. The 38-year-old now also contests an MMA fight in front of thousands of spectators. It is a return to the roots for the Hamburgers.
Schüder drives an amazing place: Under the name Flying Uwe, he is a successful YouTuber in the field of fitness and martial arts and leads several companies.
He is currently preparing for an MMA fight. That means two training sessions a day, more intensive and thus time-consuming regeneration and lots of media appointments to fight the Twitch stream Ediz Tasci Oktagon 69 in Dortmund (on April 5 from 5:30 p.m. on RTL+)* to apply.
For the father of two, the balancing act between family, company and sport is challenging, as he explains in an interview with NTV/RTL. “Such a life as a MMA fighter is actually a complete job. You have to train, eat properly in the morning, then sleep well and go back to training in the evening – and that repeats itself almost every day. Next to it is a company and spending time with the children, that’s not easy – but I want it that way. After the fight, I have more things from the others again.”
In the community of his more than 1.3 million subscribers, he often heard the question of why he should do it. Schüder sees a “challenge” in his MMA fight to “grow a chance” and a return to the roots. Because with martial arts on YouTube, his career had even gained driving.
MMA: “A better version of Flying Uwe”
The processes for Flying Uwe are nothing new, because he has already completed two professional fights in the cage (a victory, a defeat). He owes his nickname to his in -step rotating kicks. It remains to be seen whether the acrobatic kicks for the 38-year-old will remain a trademark for the 38-year-old, because more than four years have passed since his last fight.
“You will definitely see a better version of me that is different,” promises the 38-year-old. “How different, I don’t want to say that yet, but there were two things that we tackled. For me, preparation is already a highlight because it is much harder. So I am simply happy to implement it in Dortmund.”
Video: Blatant scenes! MMA colossus heavily drawn
Schüder’s opponent Ediz (“Der Width”, according to the streaming name) has no MMA fight on the hump yet, but a background in the struggle. The two influencers have known each other for a long time and have even produced videos together. But everything is forgotten for the fight.
“We get on, but for the fight and the time before I have to say: I shit on you.” Schüder also likes the numerous comparison of the two opponents. That is a real drive. “I also think the provocations and small rivalries are good. That gives the fight a large reach. As long as it is not shot against the family, it is simply part of it.”
Flying Uwe gives “a kebab out”
This entertainment factor has become an important part that has promoted the complex and spectacular sport in recent years. It is not surprising that the organizer Oktagon MMA has two influencers – with the necessary martial arts experience – compete against each other.
“MMA has increased correctly in Germany,” explains Schüder, who continues: “This was mainly due to the fighter, who were also well on social media. When it started, I was already a part of it. And now there is my comeback, and I’m part of it again. That feels cool.”
With the fight in front of around 15,000 spectators in the Dortmund Westfalenhalle, all ailments from the preparation will be forgotten. “I am confident, I am strong, explosive and have ‘Bock,” summarizes Schüder, who believes that the relationship with Ediz will improve through the fight. “Maybe I give him a kebab and then it is good. That’s like in the school yard: first you beat yourself and afterwards you are best buddies,” said the Hamburger.
However, he wants to leave open that it may continue afterwards with the MMA career. “I want to complete one thing first, after that it can go on as long as I have everything under control.” The 38-year-old will remain active in any case. “Complete calm, you do that for a few days and then it goes back into the matter. Two weeks of vacation, I get a guilty conscience. I have to have something to do – that’s my thing.”
Michael Bauer, ntv.de
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