Serbian Son Conquers French MMA Scene! Trivunović: Medić is Simply a Doctor, and Leka is My Brother
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While MMA has flourished in Serbia over the past few years, its development in the northern part of the country has been slower. Beyond Novi Sad, the sport is only just gaining popularity and appeal in smaller towns. Sombor is known as Nikola Jokić's hometown, but it's also home to Božidar Trivunović, a young fighter who is forging his MMA path in France. He spoke to Sportal about his injury, his return to the octagon, his acquaintance with the Jokić family, and his friendship with Jovan Leka, who recently debuted in the UFC with a victory.
Božidar, you're from Sombor, and you tried many sports before falling in love with MMA. What were those early days like, considering MMA wasn't very developed or popular in Sombor back then, and why MMA?
Before MMA, I enjoyed playing football, but it didn't fulfill me. I'd followed MMA since I was a kid; UFC was already big, but there wasn't an MMA club in Sombor. I didn't know anyone who taught MMA; everyone was doing kickboxing, boxing, wrestling, but no one was teaching MMA. Then I got in touch with a guy who introduced me to my current coach, Dado Mihajlović, who runs the Family Fight Team in Novi Sad, and that's how I started. Božidar Trivunović
Božidar revealed that he knows both Nikola Jokić and his brother Nemanja.
We're from the same city. They're great guys, I have no complaints. Božidar Trivunović
As you mentioned, you're part of Novi Sad's Family Fight Team, but you also founded their base in Sombor. How challenging is it to balance coaching with preparing for your own fights?
In a word, it's tough, because you have to help guys who are just starting out, while also preparing yourself. For this fight, I need to train at a much higher level. I need professionals for sparring, not just beginners, but I usually manage to coordinate everything. Božidar Trivunović
He added that this aspect of his work is also very fulfilling.
It's a great feeling to motivate young guys to get off the streets and into sports. It feels good; you don't need anything more than that. Božidar Trivunović
He maintains an excellent relationship with Jovan Leka, one of Serbia's most promising fighters.
That's my brother, and I send him my regards. We're on great terms; we're always in touch and seeing each other. Božidar Trivunović
He also commented on Leka's UFC debut in Belgrade.
It couldn't have gone better. Leka is a master at what he does; he has a winning mentality, and that's it. Božidar Trivunović
When I talk to fighters about injuries, the anterior cruciate ligament is often the problem. That wasn't the case for you. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you had a car accident that sidelined you for two years. How did you mentally and physically cope with that, and how difficult was it?
It was extremely difficult, as it was a serious car accident. I had injuries along the entire length of my spine; besides four broken vertebrae, everything else was damaged. My neck, lower back, upper back – everything was catastrophically damaged. What mentally crushed me the most was not being able to train. As soon as I tried to increase the intensity of my training, I would get re-injured to the point where I couldn't even walk. My family helped me the most to overcome that and recover as much as possible. Of course, it will never be like it was before the accident, but I'm trying to get back to a similar level. Božidar Trivunović
Many had written him off and underestimated him.
I know I'm not a technically perfect fighter, but I don't care what people say. The most important thing for me is to win, regardless of whether the technique is always perfect or not. Many wrote me off because I hadn't fought in a long time. For almost a year, I couldn't even train properly. Now, before the fight in France, I'm finally training at full intensity. Božidar Trivunović
Božidar proved everyone wrong. He returned with a knockout victory in 33 seconds against Alexandre Capone, also in France at Hexagone. That win meant a lot for his confidence.
All those comments and the audience who underestimated and wrote me off affected me a bit, even though I tried to ignore it. When the offer for that fight came, it was only a month before the match, so I didn't have enough time to prepare properly. Still, everything ended perfectly. The tactic was to chop him down with low kicks, because we noticed he kept throwing them, and we succeeded. After that victory, my confidence and winning mentality returned. Božidar Trivunović
After that came Armada and a loss to Čompek, but with a truly impressive performance. Božidar started the first round very explosively, but Čompek managed to turn it around in the second and finish the fight with a technical knockout. The Sombor native revealed what made the difference.
My cardio was lacking; I ran out of gas midway through the first round. I haven't told anyone this before, because people often see it as an excuse for a loss. Anyway, I didn't feel well that entire day; I kept throwing up. Even though I didn't cut much weight, maybe around seven to eight kilograms, I couldn't even regain two kilograms before the fight. I weighed around 72 kilograms. Whatever I ate, I'd throw up. Simply put, it wasn't my day. He certainly wasn't a better fighter than me; I definitely won the first round, I started well and opened him up, but in the second round, my body just couldn't take it anymore. I pushed as much as I could. Božidar Trivunović
Now comes your return to Hexagone, again in France on September 12th, against Azon Baybartirov. The French describe you as a Serbian with an imposing physique. How do you see your opponent?
I'm ready for everything, absolutely everything. I know I'm not a technically perfect fighter, but I don't care what people say. The most important thing for me is to win, regardless of whether the technique is always perfect or not. Many wrote me off because I hadn't fought in a long time. For almost a year, I couldn't even train properly. Now, before the fight in France, I'm finally training at full intensity. Božidar Trivunović
The French are giving him an advantage due to his wide arm span.
I have a significantly longer arm span than him, I think I have an advantage of about 10 to 15 centimeters. The same goes for height, so I'll try to make the most of that. Božidar Trivunović
He's coming off a knockout win against Paul Deny in Lyon, and you're coming off a loss. Do you think that might give him a slight edge over you?
He has no advantage there. I'm actually much hungrier for a fight, because two of my previous matches at Armada were canceled. My opponents pulled out of the fights, so I'm very eager to prove myself. The previous loss only motivates me more to be better. I just hope for good health and no injuries. Božidar Trivunović
I saw that some of your fights were canceled. How difficult is it to schedule a fight in Serbia?
It's not difficult for me personally, because my coach Dado handles all of that, so the burden mostly falls on him. Whenever he tells me there's a fight for me, I always agree, and that's that. Božidar Trivunović
If you could choose an opponent from Serbia, who would it be? Do you have anyone in mind?
I don't want to fight anyone from Serbia, nor would I want to share the cage with our own people again. Fights against foreigners fulfill me much more. Božidar Trivunović
While today's MMA world is almost unimaginable without call-outs and media drama, Trivunović stands out as a fighter who strictly avoids so-called trash talk. Refusing to publicly name desired opponents, he explained why he chooses to let his actions in the cage speak louder than words.
I don't like that hype and that kind of promotion. That's why I rarely appear in the media; I'm not a fan of it. I like to agree to a fight and get in the cage, but for call-outs and drama, I'm just not that type. I know it's necessary in our sport today, but I'm simply not for it. It's a double-edged sword for me. You can create huge hype, and then your opponent knocks you out, and all your promises fall flat. That's why I steer clear of such things. I prefer to be quiet, train, and fight. And my coach Dado shares that opinion; hype isn't important to us, but rather getting in there, having a fair fight, and getting the job done. Božidar Trivunović
You enter the cage to the song "Đurđevdan." Why that particular song?
Đurđevdan is my family's patron saint day, and that song fills me with energy before I enter. However, for this fight, I had to change it. I'm sorry, but I've prepared something else. You'll hear it; it's going to be pure chaos in France, that's for sure. Božidar Trivunović
Although his cage walk is recognizable by the song "Đurđevdan," Trivunović has decided to make an exception for the upcoming fight in France and prepare something new. However, he emphasizes that the change is only temporary, and he also revealed the motives behind this decision.
For the next fight, I'm bringing back Đurđevdan, and that song will stay forever after that. I think there will be a lot of our people in the arena, as there are many Serbs in France. I am Orthodox and I love my faith. Let's be clear, I am not a nationalist, but I respect my faith, and that won't change. The new song will carry me and give me energy, and at the same time calm me down before the fight itself. Božidar Trivunović
He also commented on Uroš Medić's performance in the UFC.
In a word – a doctor. Simply, a doctor. Božidar Trivunović
However, Borislav Nikolić surprised and delighted him the most.
It's an understatement to say he literally beat the Russian to a pulp. Božidar Trivunović
You once said that Aleksandar Rakić and Darko Stošić were your role models. Has that changed since then, or are they still at the top for you?
I started following MMA primarily because of Darko Stošić, back during the FFC organization. I also followed Vasa Bakočević then. Rakić was a role model for me because he fought in the UFC. I don't like to follow all the media hype around fighters much, but I keep up as much as I can. I'm always happy when our guys succeed and win. For those who lose, I always wish them a speedy recovery and a successful return. Božidar Trivunović
Do you regret not being part of bigger events held in the Belgrade Arena, like FNC, or is that a further step you're still striving for?
I like to take things step by step. I don't like to think too far ahead because something unexpected always happens. Currently, I'm solely focused on winning the upcoming fight. If God grants me that victory, after that I'll look for an opportunity to challenge for the belt in Hexagone, because I believe I deserve it. If all that works out, we'll slowly move towards bigger organizations. Božidar Trivunović
He also had a message for the Frenchman.
He should prepare well. I want it to be a truly great fight and for the audience to be satisfied, just as they were satisfied after my match against Čompek. Even though I didn't win then, I gave it my all. This time, I will also give absolutely everything to take the victory. Božidar Trivunović
VIDEO: Miloš Janičić's injury in the Arena!
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