The world of MMA is full of men and women who display a variety of skills, but for most, these talents are not a given, but rather a result of their struggles through the trials and tribulations they have had to endure in life. BRAVE's Story CF 81 headliner Elko Jun is no exception.
Born in 1990 in the midst of turmoil in war-torn Bosnia, Elko's life began in uncertain circumstances. He spent the early years of his life in a refugee camp in Germany before fleeing the ravages of conflict and settling with his family in Belgium. It was there that Elco Jun's indomitable spirit first began to take shape.
Although he was lucky enough to escape war-torn Bosnia with his parents, Elko's childhood and teenage years were not all sunshine and rainbows. Because things in his home are not going very well, he always finds himself involved in scuffles on the street.
In all this turmoil, Jun has found solace in one thing: martial arts. He took up taekwondo and kickboxing, and martial arts training became Elko's outlet for the frustrations that had built up in his life. Just when everything was starting to calm down for Elko, tragedy struck again.
After sustaining a serious injury that left him paralyzed from the knees down, he had no choice but to take up bodybuilding at the advice of his doctor.
Young Elko trained hard to overcome his injuries and in the process, in his own words, “fell in love with iron.” Having had his life uprooted once in his childhood, he was forced to go through the experience again after his parents' divorce.
He continued to live with his mother in a small, rat-infested apartment with little furniture. And during the rehabilitation of his leg injury, another turning point in his life occurred. He found the mentor he needed in Bill Richardson, an old-school legend. A person who played an important role in his future.
Under Bill's tutelage, Elko learned the basics of transforming his body, and he was stunned by his rapid and impressive physical progress. Bill encourages June to take on his long-standing public reputation as a “big bad” and direct it toward Jim, a humbling and important turning point.
Reflecting on the difficult times he had to go through, Elko Jun said, “Everyone has difficult times in life.Those difficult times made me the person I am today and built my character.'' I think it was a moment,” he said.
Elko credits her mother with bringing stability to her life when she found work in the fitness industry. Eventually, he began increasing his income through personal training and moved into a new furnished and rat-free home with his mother.
“I want to make my mom proud,” Elko says.
With the unwavering support of his mother and a newfound sense of purpose, Elko began his journey from the world of bodybuilding to the glitz and glamor of the modeling industry. But amidst the bright lights and celebrity status, his heart yearned for something more: a return to his roots, a rekindling of his passion for martial arts.
Elko Jun won last year's BRAVE CF debut.
A trip to Germany to meet friends in 2018 was a turning point. Elko made her mixed martial arts debut in front of a huge crowd and there was no turning back.
“We all know that life has its ups and downs. Doors close, but new doors open as long as you are open to them. If you put negative energy on yourself, you will create a negative life. You have to believe it because you’re going to send it.”
Since then, he has amassed an impressive 7-2 record in MMA and established himself as one of the biggest names in European MMA. At BRAVE CF 70, he KO'd Marko Dolmondzic and announced his joining, drawing attention from all over the world. And now, Elko is ready to write the next chapter of his journey with BRAVE Combat Federation at BRAVE CF 81, where he will take on Mohammed Said Maalem in the main event.
This new opportunity is likely to be a new turning point for Jun, and he may be on his way to greatness in yet another field. His win over former title contender Saeed Mahlem made him the favorite to win the world title. Winning a championship title under the world's most global MMA organization would be the accomplishment of his lifetime.
For Elko, the journey was long and difficult, filled with trials and tribulations. But through it all, Elko Jun emerged victorious and became a true testament to the spirit of martial arts.
