Jovan Leka and Alexander Poppeck both made their octagon debuts at UFC Belgrade on Saturday, with one standout factor in the fight being the respective weights of both men.
The heavyweight bout saw Leka weigh in at 262.5lbs, while Germany’s Poppeck was a comparatively svelte 215lbs. Leka was fighting at home in Serbia, while Poppeck had the experience edge, with high-level experience in the PFL and Oktagon MMA.
The massive weight discrepancy didn’t exactly help things, but Leka showed he solid timing in the fight, as long as it lasted.
The first action between the heavyweights was all from Poppeck in the first minute. Nothing significant, but he was landing short punches and leg kicks. Leka was gathering data, perhaps looking for an opportunity. Poppeck was fine with circling away and landing off his back foot. Leka was doing nothing but only needed one well-placed shot. Leka landed a hard left kick to the liver, and Poppeck shut down, dropping to the mat. He covered up, Leka landed some strikes on the comprised Poppeck, and the fight was over.
Poppeck, who competed at middleweight and light heavyweight in Oktagon, will likely return there in future. Leka, meanwhile, becomes the first Serbian fighter to win a UFC fight on home soil.
Official Result: Jovan Leka def. Alexander Poppeck by TKO (liver kick and punches), Round 1, 2:22
