UFC Belgrade Prelims: Klein-Musayev Headlines a Loaded Serbian Debut

The UFC finally plants its flag in Serbia on Saturday, August 1, and the promotion isn't easing into it. Belgrade Arena hosts UFC Fight Night: Medić vs. Rodriguez, a card built around hometown favorite Uroš Medić stepping into his first main event — but the prelims are where a lot of the intrigue sits. This one runs on a special schedule too: prelims kick off at 10am ET / 7am PT, with the main card following at 1pm ET / 10am PT, all streaming on Paramount+ in the States.

The featured prelim is the kind of matchup that rarely goes the distance quietly. Slovakia's Ludovít Klein (24-5-1) takes on Azerbaijan's Tofiq Musayev (23-6), a finisher with 18 knockouts and two submissions on his ledger. That's 20 stoppages in 23 wins — Musayev doesn't hunt for judges' scorecards, and Klein, an all-action lightweight in his own right, isn't the type to keep things at range and safe.

Hometown Heroes and Fresh Faces

Serbia's contingent gets its moment throughout the prelims. Belgrade's Borislav Nikolić (16-2) makes his Octagon debut against DWCS alum Mark Vologdin (12-4-2), while bantamweight Nina Milošević (8-1) walks in on an eight-fight winning streak to face Texas veteran Hailey Cowan (7-5). Milošević hasn't lost since her professional debut, and she's stepping onto a card designed to put Serbian talent in front of a Serbian crowd.

There's more local flavor in the heavyweight collision between Novi Sad's Jovan Leka (13-2) and Germany's Alexander Poppeck (21-5, 1 NC). Poppeck brings the deeper resume — 21 wins with 13 knockouts and a submission — but both men are UFC newcomers still finding their footing at the top level. Big men who can crack tend to make short work of nerves, so don't blink.

The prelim opener hands another Belgrade fighter her first walk: strawweight Marina Spasić (7-1) against Brazil's Stephanie Luciano (7-2-1). It's a debut-heavy card by design — six of the nine listed prelim names are stepping into the Octagon for the first time.

The Contender Series Pipeline

Two Dana White's Contender Series graduates meet when Wales' Oban Elliott (12-4), out of Merthyr Tydfil, faces unbeaten Brazilian newcomer Michael Oliveira (9-0). Elliott has the Octagon experience; Oliveira arrives with a spotless record and the confidence that comes with it. That's a genuine test for both — a loss stings more for the guy who's never had one.

The featherweight bout between Dennis Buzukja (12-6) and Bogdan Grad (15-4) reads like a bounce-back scrap. Buzukja is coming off a first-round TKO loss to Marcio Barbosa, while Grad was stopped by punches in the second round against Luke Riley. Both need this one. Grad's got the edge in stoppages — nine KOs and three subs across his 15 wins — but he'll need to fix whatever went wrong last time out.

Then there's Mateusz Rębecki (20-5), a lightweight running one of the busiest schedules in the division. Belgrade marks his fourth Octagon appearance in 11 months, and he draws Canada's Kyle Prepolec (18-10). Activity like that either builds momentum or burns a fighter out — Rębecki's clearly betting on the former.

What It All Sets Up

For the newcomers, this is the classic UFC audition: perform in front of a hyped home crowd and you buy yourself real momentum. For Nikolić, Milošević, Spasić and Leka, a debut win in Belgrade is worth more than the same result anywhere else. The building will be loud, and loud crowds have a way of tilting close rounds.

The prelims also feed directly into the night's bigger story. With Daniel Rodriguez ranked #15 at welterweight and Medić trying to announce himself as a genuine contender in the main event, a strong undercard from the Serbian names sets the emotional table. Win early, and the whole arena carries that energy into the headliner.

Klein vs. Musayev is the one to circle. Two men with a combined 47 wins and a shared aversion to letting fights drag, opening the door for the main card. If the finishers do what finishers do, Belgrade's first UFC card won't need long to justify the trip.