Be cautious in interfering with that "slingshot".
In the combat sports organization PFL, German fighter Alexander Luster, nicknamed "Schlingel," aims to secure the European title in his weight class. The 27-year-old has a successful record and a unique nickname that matches his laid-back personality.
Nicknames in the world of MMA often aim to showcase power, intimidation, or even swagger. German fighter Alexander Luster takes a different route, using the nickname "Schlingel," which translates to mischievous or playful character, a moniker that fits his easy-going demeanor.
During an interview with ntv.de, Luster explained his choice of nickname, stating, "With all the pit bulls, lions, and other fierce animals out there, and names like Bone Breaker, that wouldn't suit me. I'm a laid-back guy. People who see me wouldn't think I fight. I want the fight to be fun, and being hard and dangerous wouldn't suit me. My family would describe me as a Schlingel. But when I get into the cage, I'm very aggressive, focused on causing harm, and disciplined. I try to stick to my game plan."
While Schlingel might prompt a chuckle rather than fear, Luster has a strong record, with eight wins out of nine professional fights. His goal now is to secure the European title in the bantamweight division and win a €100,000 prize at the PFL Europe. The PFL presents the tournament as a European championship, and Luster has established himself as a formidable competitor both in and out of the ring. After his June victory, he celebrated by posing for a photo with a beer in hand, a tradition Luster embraces. "I do enjoy a beer, though I cut back during training. But after fights, I usually have a beer pretty quickly." The gesture was well-received by both the PFL and the press.
Luster has two more matches to win before he can call himself the PFL Europe Champion. Although the money is not his main motivator, he wants to represent his team at the Combat Club in Bonn and honor his coaches, particularly head coach Marcel Pino. "It's the next step in my career," Luster said. "€100,000 isn't a guarantee for the next few years. I'd probably invest it somehow."
In the semifinals in Glasgow on September 28, Luster will face Spanish opponent Julien Lopez on DAZN. Luster analyzed Lopez's strengths and weaknesses, saying, "He's definitely a physically strong opponent, but he's shown some vulnerabilities in his last fight that I want to exploit."
Each fight serves as its own motivation for Luster. "It might sound strange to someone who hasn't fought, but it's almost meditative. I find peace in the chaos of a cage fight. And winning a fight is an incredible feeling that's hard to describe. All the pressure just falls away, and the threat is gone. It's like nothing else, and I've been chasing that feeling since my first amateur fight. I'd love for those feelings to continue until the end of the year. Then the title in the PFL would be mine."
Luster's unique nickname, "Schlingel," is a testament to his love for sports that go beyond combat, as he enjoys participating in various recreational sports outside of his MMA career.
Regardless of his nickname or laid-back personality, Luster's dedication to sports is evident, as he trains rigorously to secure the European title in his weight class and win the €100,000 prize.
