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Ante Delija
Croatian mixed martial arts fighter From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Ante Delija (born August 7, 1990[1]) is a Croatian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2011, Delija has fought in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he was the 2022 PFL Heavyweight Championship, as well as other organizations such as M-1 Global, Rizin Fighting Federation, and Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW).
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Mixed martial arts career
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M-1 Global
On February 28, 2014, Delija made his M-1 Global debut in the main event of M-1 Challenge 45 against Estonian Denis Smoldarev and lost via submission (keylock).[2]
On September 20, 2015, Delija faced Marcin Tybura at M-1 Challenge 61 for the M-1 Global Heavyweight Championship and lost after he suffered horrible open fracture of tibia.[3] Delija had two surgeries on the leg and after second surgery he got infected by hospital bactery.
RIZIN
Three years after injury, Delija made his comeback in the sport on May 6, 2018, in Fukoka, Japan at RIZIN 10 against Ricardo Prasel and won by unanimous decision.[4]
KSW
On November 9, 2019, Delija made his debut for Konfrontacji Sztuk Walki, in which he TKOed Englishman – Oli Thompson in the second round.[5]
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) (2020)
Delija was scheduled to make his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. Korean Zombie on October 17, 2020, in Abu Dhabi against Ciryl Gane.[6] The bout was cancelled due to Delijas' active contract with Professional Fighters League.[7]
Professional Fighters League (PFL)
On February 9, 2021, it was announced that Delija would be part of the PFL heavyweight roster for 2021 season.[8]
Delija opened the PFL 2021 season on May 6 in New Jersey at PFL 3 against Bruno Cappelozza and lost via TKO in first round.[9]
On June 25, Delija defeated Chandler Cole via TKO in first round at PFL 6 and secured place in the PFL Playoffs.[10]
On August 19, Delija defeated Denis Goltsov via unanimous decision at PFL 8 and advanced to the PFL Playoff finals.[11]
On October 27, Delija faced Bruno Cappelozza in the PFL finals at PFL 10 and lost in five round bout via unanimous decision.[12]
Delijas PFL 2022 season campaign started with a KO victory over Matheus Scheffel on April 28 at PFL 2.[13]
On June 24, Delija defeated Shelton Graves via unanimous decision and secured his place in the 2022 PFL Playoffs.[14]
In the PFL Playoff semi-finals, Delija faced Renan Ferreira at PFL 8 and won by TKO in first round and advanced to the finals.[15]
In the finals, Delija was set to face Scheffel, whom he already defeated in first round of tournament and this time was no different. Delija knocked him out in the first round, becoming the PFL 2022 Heavyweight champion and earning the 1 milion dollar prize in the process.[16]
Delija faced Maurice Greene on June 16, 2023 at PFL 5.[17] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[18]
Delija faced Valentin Moldavsky at PFL 1 on April 4, 2024. He lost the bout by technical knockout in the first round.[19]
Delija was scheduled to face Vadim Nemkov on January 25, 2025 at Bellator Champions Series 6 (also marketed as PFL Road to Dubai: Champions Series), but Delija withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Corey Anderson.[20]
Fight Nation Championship
On March 7, 2025, it was announced that Delija had left PFL and signed with leading Croatian promotion Fight Nation Championship.[21]
In his promotional debut, Delija faced Yorgan de Castro on April 12, 2025, at FNC 22. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[22]
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
On June 20, 2025, it was announced that Delija had signed a contract to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[23]
Delija is scheduled to make his UFC debut against Marcin Tybura in a rematch on September 6, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 258.[24]
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Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts record
| 31 matches | 25 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 12 | 4 |
| By submission | 6 | 1 |
| By decision | 7 | 1 |
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References
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