Damir Mihajlovic: Jovan Leka Will Be UFC Champion!

Damir Mihajlovic, founder of the ARMMADA MMA promotion, was an exclusive guest on "Informally with Georgi Petkov" during UFC Belgrade. The former fighter, now coach and president, shared that for him and everyone interested in mixed martial arts in our western neighbor, the arrival of the world's most popular organization is undoubtedly a dream come true.

"I've been organizing events for 14 years. I know the advantages and disadvantages.

Bringing the UFC here, having them come to us, is a huge deal," commented Mihajlovic, known in these circles by his nickname Dado.

"I fought Yordan Radev in 2008 or 2009. I remember I was in Brazil, at a training camp, when I received the invitation. I lost, but it was to a world-class opponent. That's how we athletes are – we shake hands and move on," added Mihajlovic, who expressed hope for interesting future collaborations and a significant exchange of competitive and organizational experience between the two countries:

"I hope we can work together with Bulgarian teams in ARMMADA in the future. They are more than welcome!"

He also touched upon one of the stars of his Family Fight Team in Novi Sad, Jovan Leka (the interview was recorded before the heavyweight's fight in Belgrade, which he won by technical knockout in the first round):

"When I publicly stated, in podcasts and elsewhere, that Jovan Leka would be in the UFC, everyone laughed. Now they're not laughing anymore... And when I said he wouldn't lose to Azamat Muftilaev, they laughed again... Now we're here, and they see it's serious. It's only a matter of time. He will win the belt in Serbia! I am sure that one day he will be the UFC heavyweight champion."