A tense atmosphere surrounded the appearance of Shkodra-born boxer Dennis Buzukja at a UFC event in Belgrade, where he faced Serbian fighter Bogdan Grad in front of an estimated 22,000 spectators.
As Buzukja entered the arena for his bout, sections of the crowd reportedly greeted him with offensive and anti-Albanian chants. Among the slogans reportedly heard from the stands were “Kill the Albanians” and “Kosovo is Serbia.”
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After the fight, Buzukja chose not to answer hostility with hostility. In a lengthy social media message, he described the emotion and responsibility he felt while carrying the Albanian flag in front of thousands of spectators.
“Words cannot describe the feeling, the pressure and the weight of carrying the red-and-black flag on my shoulders for the people I love.”
Although Buzukja was born and raised in the United States, he emphasized his deep connection to Albanian culture and traditions.
“I walked in with the Albanian flag and with a calm and peaceful demeanor to show the honor that Albanians have in our culture.”
He also addressed those who opposed him, responding with a message of faith rather than confrontation:
“To those who hate: ‘Bless those who persecute you.’ God is with me. I win.”
Buzukja ended his message by thanking his supporters and Albanians who stood behind him.
“For all of Albania, I love you so much.”
Return to Shkodra: Buzukja Welcomed With Cheers in Gjuhadol
After the fight in Belgrade, Dennis Buzukja returned to Shkodra, where the reception was dramatically different.
In Gjuhadol, local residents welcomed the fighter with cheers, greetings and words of appreciation, showing their support for the way he represented the Albanian flag in Belgrade.
Despite his defeat inside the ring, Buzukja returned to Shkodra to a hero's welcome from many supporters, who praised him for carrying the red-and-black flag into an arena filled with thousands of Serbian spectators and responding to a hostile atmosphere with composure rather than confrontation.