Dennis Buzukja Enters UFC Belgrade With Albanian Flag, Faces Anti-Albanian Chants and Controversial Defeat

The UFC event in Belgrade was marked by tension both inside the octagon and in the stands before the highly anticipated featherweight clash between Albanian-American fighter Dennis Buzukja and Serbian fighter Bogdan Grad.

 Albanian-American fighter Dennis Buzukja performing the double-headed eagle symbol during the UFC weigh-in in Belgrade, prior to his high-tension featherweight clash against Serbian fighter Bogdan Grad.

Buzukja entered the arena carrying the Albanian national flag, a gesture that immediately attracted attention from the local audience. The fighter also made the symbol of the double-headed eagle before stepping into the cage, representing his Albanian heritage.

Controversial Reaction From Serbian Fans

According to media reports, parts of the Serbian crowd reacted with hostile and offensive chants when Buzukja appeared with the red-and-black flag.

Among the reported chants from sections of the crowd was: “Kill, kill the Albanians”, creating a tense atmosphere before the fight began.

The incident quickly became one of the most discussed moments of the UFC Belgrade night, with reactions focusing not only on the sporting contest but also on the atmosphere surrounding the event.

Buzukja Loses After Disputed Referee Decision

Inside the octagon, the fight was competitive from the opening seconds. Buzukja started strongly in striking exchanges, landing accurate shots, while Grad focused on taking the fight to the ground and securing takedowns.

 The tense second-round moment where the referee intervened and stopped the fight, leading to a controversial technical submission decision against Dennis Buzukja in favor of Bogdan Grad.

The decisive moment came in the second round when the referee stopped the fight, ruling that Buzukja had signaled submission with a hand movement.

The Albanian-American fighter immediately protested the decision, insisting that he had not tapped out and that the movement was an attempt to improve his position rather than surrender.

Replay footage sparked debate among fans, with many questioning whether the referee’s interpretation was correct. However, the decision remained unchanged and Bogdan Grad was declared the winner by technical submission.

Albanian Flag Becomes Symbolic Moment in Belgrade

Despite the defeat, Dennis Buzukja’s entrance with the Albanian flag became one of the most memorable images of UFC Belgrade.

  Dennis Buzukja walking out to the arena carrying the red-and-black Albanian national flag prior to his high-tension bout against Serbian fighter Bogdan Grad.

His decision to represent his heritage in front of a Serbian crowd, combined with the controversial ending of the fight, turned the bout into a widely discussed moment beyond the world of mixed martial arts.