UFC Belgrade video: Jovan Leka destroys Alexander Poppeck with loud body kick knockout
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.
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.
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.
