Jovan Leka will step in to face Alexander Poppeck at UFC Belgrade on August 1st following M. Gimenis's withdrawal from the bout. The replacement booking keeps the matchup intact on the card.
Alexander Poppeck is set to have a new opponent for UFC Belgrade, with reports indicating Jovan Leka has been booked as his replacement challenger after M. Gimenis withdrew from the card. The event is scheduled for August 1st, though the matchup has not been officially confirmed as of this writing.
Poppeck, a 34-year-old German fighter representing Munich Top Team, carries a 9-3 record into the bout. The orthodox striker has built a reputation for his output, averaging 4.01 significant strikes landed per minute at a notable 57 percent accuracy — numbers that suggest a sharp, efficient stand-up game. He has registered no takedown or submission activity in tracked data, pointing to a fighter who prefers to settle matters on the feet.
Leka's verified statistics were not available at the time of publication, though the summary confirms he is stepping in on relatively short notice to keep the card intact following Gimenis's exit.
Why it matters
- Late replacement bookings carry inherent uncertainty, and this matchup should be treated as unconfirmed until officially announced by the promotion.
- Poppeck's striker-first profile could make fight preparation particularly challenging for a short-notice replacement.
- The card's integrity at UFC Belgrade depended on filling this slot, making Leka's willingness to step in significant for the event's lineup.
The situation remains fluid ahead of the August 1st date, and further details on the pairing are expected as the event approaches.
