Paul Abraham
The UFC held its first event in Serbia on August 1, 2026. UFC Belgrade took place at the Belgrade Arena, hosted by the Serbian MMA Federation. IMMAF was represented in several ways. Former IMMAF athletes Nina Nikolija Milošević and Bogdan Grad competed on the card, while Dejan Tešić and Vladimir Badrljica worked as officials. The event also produced several UFC records.
Nikolija Milošević made a successful UFC debut in front of the Serbian crowd. The former IMMAF world and European champion stopped Hailey Cowan by TKO in the first round. The victory extended her professional winning streak to nine fights. Her amateur career and road to the UFC were covered in more detail in one of our latest posts (here).
Bogdan Grad also left Belgrade with a victory. The Austrian submitted Dennis Buzukja in the second round. Grad spent several years competing at IMMAF level before turning professional. He represented Austria at the World and European Championships between 2015 and 2018. His best result came at the 2018 European Championships, where he won a bronze medal.
The two victories meant that both former IMMAF athletes competing on the card left Serbia with wins.
The IMMAF presence was not limited to the fighters. Dejan Tešić and Vladimir Badrljica both officiated fights during the event. Tešić has a long connection with amateur MMA and is part of the IMMAF Referees and Judges Commission. His role at UFC Belgrade was another notable moment for the Serbian official, who has worked for years within the sport.
Badrljica was also selected to referee at the event. Having two officials with links to the Serbian MMA structure working at the country’s first UFC event added another local element to the card.
Aleksandar Rakić also has a lesser-known connection to IMMAF. He was entered into the 2014 IMMAF World Championships, with two fights scheduled during the competition. Neither fight took place, so Rakić did not compete at the championships. Twelve years later, he was part of the UFC’s first card in Serbia. Rakić defeated Marcin Tybura by unanimous decision.
Going to the judges was rare that night. UFC Belgrade produced 12 finishes, with 10 in the first round. The 10 first-round finishes set a new UFC record for a single event. The main event was the shortest fight of the night. Serbian fighter Uroš Medić needed only 30 seconds to stop Daniel Rodriguez.
The event came after many important years for MMA in Serbia. Belgrade has hosted major international amateur competitions, including the IMMAF World and European Championships. The Serbian capital has therefore already become a familiar location for international MMA.
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown stated:
“On behalf of the IMMAF Board and CEO, congratulations to the Serbian MMA Federation and its President, Luka Nikolić, on an historic achievement in bringing the UFC to Belgrade for the first time. The atmosphere and support from the Serbian fans were truly exceptional, and the incredible crowd demonstrated the passion for MMA across the country. We are extremely proud of the Serbian MMA Federation and the role it continues to play in the growth and development of our sport.”
The first UFC event in Serbia had a strong IMMAF presence. Nikolija Milošević and Bogdan Grad both won their fights. Dejan Tešić and Vladimir Badrljica were also involved as officials. Behind the event, the Serbian MMA Federation played an important role in bringing the UFC to Belgrade.
August 1, 2026, was a memorable night for Serbian MMA. It was a night that will remain in the UFC record books.
