Croatian fighter Ante Delija signs with UFC
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Ante Delija and Tom Aspinall (Photo: Instagram/Ante Delija)
Croatian mixed martial artist Ante Delija (34) has officially signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world’s premier MMA organisation.
The 34-year-old confirmed the news on social media this week.
This marks a new chapter in Delija’s career, though it is not his first UFC contract.
He initially signed with the organisation back in 2020 and was scheduled to face Ciryl Gane, who later became an interim UFC heavyweight champion.
However, the bout was cancelled due to existing contractual obligations with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), which prevented Delija from making his debut at the time.
Earlier this year, in April, Delija made his debut in the Fight Nation Championship (FNC) organisation. He delivered an emphatic performance, knocking out Yorgan De Castro in just 30 seconds and showcasing his power and experience in the octagon.
With his UFC signing now confirmed, Delija becomes the second active Croatian fighter currently competing in the organisation.
Ivan Erslan is also part of the UFC roster, fighting in the light heavyweight division.
Over the years, a number of Croatian fighters have made their mark in the UFC. Legends such as Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipović, Igor Pokrajac, Goran Reljić, and Filip Pejić have all stepped into the UFC octagon.
American fighters of Croatian heritage, including Pat Miletich and former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, have also had a significant impact on the sport.
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Delija’s move is being celebrated by fans who are eager to see another Croatian talent on the biggest MMA stage in the world.
