Being a European UFC fan is a thankless job. Ruining your sleep schedule each Saturday couldn’t be extra counterproductive. It isn’t wholesome to drink sufficient vitality drinks to kill a small cow simply to get to the primary occasion. However like many others, I try each week to observe my favourite athletes carry out. Even when the UFC travels to the mainland, card occasions will seemingly be set for American audiences. As a European fan of this group, it is easy to really feel missed and unnoticed. Nonetheless, there seems to be mild on the finish of the tunnel.
The primary domino to fall?
UFC Belgrade was some of the thrilling bulletins I’ve ever seen. In 774 UFC occasions, the corporate has by no means had a presence in Serbia. Touring to the Balkans is a sexy prospect, as many elite warriors hail from this area. From Aleksandar Rakic to Duško Todorovic to Uros Medic, Serbia has been quietly rising within the sport. We really feel that Serbia is an appropriate stage for competitors on the highest stage of the game. Followers on this aspect of the world have lengthy known as for the group to develop its presence on the continent. Regardless of visiting Germany, Sweden, Poland and plenty of different international locations previously, the UFC has solely visited the UK and France since COVID-19. This isn’t sufficient. With an enormous following from Europe, an enormous and passionate fan base is sleeping and able to explode. As proven within the UK and Paris talked about above. Each London and Paris created a number of the greatest atmospheres the game has ever seen. Benoît Saint-Denis’ dismantling of Mauricio Ruffy produced one of many greatest crowd pops I’ve ever heard in my life again in September.
A worthy principal occasion?
For the UFC to take advantage of the chance in entrance of it, it would want a principal occasion worthy of the event. Now, there’s the primary occasion.
Aleksandar Rakic vs. Brando Pericic seems like an ideal matchup on paper. Peričić, who’s of Croatian descent, presents the corporate the chance to stage Balkan battles, Croatia vs. Serbia, knockout artists vs. elite kickboxers. Nothing might be extra interesting. Pericic has exploded onto the scene since making his debut final 12 months. He’s 3-0 https://www.lowkickmma.com/potential-serbian-debutants-at-ufc-belgrade/ internally, with all three wins coming by vicious KO. “Vulcan Bear” breathed much-needed life into the battered division. The current demolition of Shamil Gadzhiyev confirmed how good he’s. A flurry of mixtures adopted, and a ferocious proper hook despatched Gaziev to the canvas and secured a second-round stoppage for Pericic. There may be now a must strengthen competitiveness. Would a beforehand ranked top-five fighter deserve that step up?
Aleksandar Rakic has suffered a merciless misfortune. After his win over Thiago Santos in 2021, Rakic appeared destined to problem for gold at LHW. Nonetheless, a severe knee damage sustained in a subsequent battle with Jan Blachowicz derailed his profession. After a two-year layoff, Rocket will lastly return in 2024. Most gamers would simply return to work, however that wasn’t the case for Rakic. Jiri Prochaska, Magomed Ankalaev, Azamat Murzakanov. Three elite fighters fought back-to-back and recorded three losses. In actuality, Rakic’s efficiency is nothing wanting a cauldron of competitors. Now he has moved as much as heavyweight and is hungry for a win.
If Serbia’s Rakic can defeat a burgeoning title favourite like Pericic, he might re-establish himself as a favourite, albeit in a brand new division. For the UFC, this principal occasion is bound to be stuffed with fireworks. Two males attempt to interact in a gunfight as weapons fly. With the tumultuous ambiance in Serbia, violent and surprising preventing appears nearly inevitable.
This occasion have to be profitable. European audiences have not too long ago confirmed they’re prepared, not simply in Paris or London, however throughout Europe, with artists like OKTAGON displaying simply how particular this ambiance is. There’s a sleeping large that’s about to awaken. All of the UFC ought to do is sound the alarm.
