Jovan Leka defeated Alexander Poppeck by TKO via liver kick at UFC Belgrade, finishing the fight at the 2:22 mark of the first round. The result came on the preliminary card of the event headlined by Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez at Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia.
Jovan Leka delivered a statement performance on home soil, stopping Alexander Poppeck with a TKO via liver kick at the 2:22 mark of the first round at UFC Belgrade. The bout featured on the preliminary card of the event held at Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia, which was headlined by Uros Medic versus Daniel Rodriguez.
Leka, just 24 years old, improved his professional record to 13-2-0 with the finish. The Serbian fighter, who competes out of Family Fight Team, stands six-foot-four with a 75-inch reach — a substantial frame that gives him significant physical tools in any matchup. Fighting in front of his home country crowd, Leka announced himself as a genuine prospect to watch within his division.
Poppeck, a 34-year-old German fighter representing Munich Top Team, falls to 9-3-0 with the defeat. Standing six-foot-two, the orthodox striker had shown legitimate credentials coming in, posting a striking accuracy of 57 percent and landing over four significant strikes per minute across his career. Despite those numbers, he was unable to weather the body attack Leka brought in the opening round.
Why it matters
- Leka, at just 24, secured a highlight-reel finish on a high-profile UFC card, boosting his profile significantly within his division.
- The liver kick stoppage underscores Leka's finishing ability — his 13 wins speak to a fighter who consistently finds ways to end bouts.
- Competing in Serbia added extra pressure and expectation; delivering under those circumstances carries added weight for his career trajectory.
- Poppeck's loss halts any momentum he was building and raises questions about where he sits in his divisional picture at age 34.
