MIES (Switzerland) - When Fabio Söhnel steps onto a 3x3 court, he carries with him more than just a basketball. He carries the grit of an MMA fighter, the humility forged inside a cage, and the passion of someone who rediscovered his first love at the perfect moment. Once defined by the lonely battles of mixed martial arts, the Austrian has now become a central figure in his country’s rise on the global 3x3 stage.
Fighting Lessons
Basketball was actually Söhnel’s first sport. He played throughout his childhood and teenage years before injuries and a twist of fate led him into the world of MMA. There, he learned what it truly meant to be on your own.
"In MMA, there’s nobody to save you," he recalled. "There’s no rest, no teammates. It's just you in the cage. It taught me the importance of finding inner peace, humbling yourself and focusing on your craft. That lesson changed me not just in sports, but in my private life, too."
Back to Basketball
Söhnel fought professionally in the United States, Austria and Switzerland, but the sport took its toll. After a particularly brutal win in Switzerland, he began questioning if a long-term future in MMA was worth the physical cost. The COVID-19 pandemic forced a pause, and during that time, he slowly drifted away from fighting.
It was his friends in Vienna who eventually nudged him back toward basketball, which was something he had once sworn he’d never touch again.
"After just two or three practices, the passion reignited," he said. "I fell for basketball again."
That return led to three years in Austria’s first and second leagues, before a chance invitation to practice with Team Vienna introduced him to 3x3. The impact was instant.
"From the first moment I played 3x3, I knew it was different." he said. "It felt like the sport was made for me."
Finding His Place in 3x3
Söhnel credits his early teammates and mentors for easing him into the 3x3 world. The more he played, the more he realized his unique skill set fit perfectly with the sport’s demands.
"My body and my background really suited 3x3," he reflected. "And when you enjoy what you’re doing, it helps you excel."
That background includes a fighter’s knowledge of leverage, positioning and explosiveness.
"MMA influenced my game a lot. In 3x3, you’re allowed to be more physical," he said. "I know how to use my center of gravity, set strong screens, play defense and box out. The physicality and footwork I learned in MMA gave me an edge."
The Demands of the Game
If MMA tested his ego, 3x3 tested his resilience. The relentless calendar, which can include five or more games in a single weekend, followed by another tournament just days later, pushed him to new limits.
"In 3x3, you can’t get comfortable with success and you can’t get too low after failure," he explained. "It’s like playing a championship game every weekend. Physically and mentally, it’s one of the toughest sports I’ve ever done."
Triumphs with Vienna and Austria
Despite those challenges, the rewards have been extraordinary. Most recently, Söhnel helped Vienna capture the 3x3 WT Debrecen Masters in 2025, a triumph made even sweeter by adversity.
"We had so many injuries—two season-ending ones before Debrecen—and I had just come back from five weeks out with an Achilles injury," he said. "But the chemistry was there, no ego, just playing for each other. People doubted us, and at times we doubted ourselves, but we needed that success. I’m proud of how we proved it to ourselves."
The victory came about a year after Austria’s historic FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup win back in 2024, the country’s first-ever gold medal in 3x3.
"Representing Austria in that way was so special," he remembered. "We’ll go into this year’s Europe Cup proud and confident. The key is to enjoy the game. That’s when we play our best."
Asked which moment meant the most, Söhnel paused. Each victory carries its own story—his first Masters win in Utsunomiya, the roller-coaster comebacks, the pride of seeing teammates succeed. But nothing compares to the Europe Cup at home.
"It crowned everything," he said. "My family, my girlfriend, my friends were in the stands. Making them proud... that was the most special feeling of all."
Dreaming Forward
For Söhnel and his teammates, the vision is clear: be a top-three team on the World Tour and establish Austria as a 3x3 powerhouse. However, the ultimate prize is still on the horizon.
"The big goal we all share is the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles," he declared.
And for those who might one day follow in his footsteps, whether in basketball, MMA or any pursuit, he leaves a simple message:
"Dream big. Set your goals high. Fail over and over, but keep your head up," he shared. "Believe in yourself and surround yourself with people who believe in you. Eventually, you will succeed."
FIBA