Jovan Leka didn’t miss his chance to make history at UFC Belgrade.
The debuting heavyweight became the first Serbian fighter ever to score a UFC win in his native country, dropping Alexander Poppeck with a nasty body kick to set up a quick first-round knockout.
Advertisement
Watch Leka’s powerful stoppage below.
Leka was heavily favored heading into Saturday’s contest at Belgrade Arena, with Poppeck—usually a light heavyweight—stepping in a little over a week’s notice for an injured Max Gimenis and coming in almost 50 pounds lighter than Leka at Friday’s official weigh-ins. The strength and power difference was evident from the start as Leka walked Poppeck down, hunting for the knockout early.
It didn’t take long for Leka to land a devastating liver kick that visibly rattled Poppeck and a few follow-up shots later, referee Vladimir Badrljica stepped in for the stoppage at the official time of 2:22.
Advertisement
The 24-year-old Leka (14-2) could be one to watch in the heavyweight division. He previously competed on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2025, but wasn’t signed despite scoring a decision victory over Azamat Nuftillaev. Since then, Leka won two more fights to earn his UFC opportunity.
Poppeck (21-6), who lost to Jamahal Hill on the Contender Series back in 2019, sees a five-fight win streak come to an end.
