Exclusive: Serbian MMA star Stefan Negucic talks bare-knuckle debut at BKFC Belgrade, training, WBM tournament, more

Stefan Negucic has made a mark in the MMA realm and is all set to make his debut in the sport of bare-knuckle boxing. 

A skillful and tenacious striker, the mixed martial artist is known to be a shining representative of his nation, Serbia. 

I had the honor of conversing with the Serbian MMA star on various topics before his much-awaited BKFC Fight Night Belgrade bare-knuckle boxing fight. 

The 32-year-old put forth his thoughts on his imminent venture into the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), focusing on his MMA career, who Stefan Negucic is behind the fighter we see onscreen, his beloved country (Serbia), the BKFC World's Baddest Man tournament, and more. 

Listed below are a few questions posed to Stefan Negucic and his responses (the latter within double quotation marks). Let's dive into it. 

Stefan Negucic reveals what drew him to bare-knuckle fighting, BKFC Belgrade fight with Stefan Dobrijevic, his focus on MMA and message to fans for the BKFC Serbia event

What draws you to bare-knuckle fighting after several years in gloved fighting?

Stefan Negucic made his professional MMA debut back in 2016 and has accrued a 12-3 record in the sport thus far. He notably captured the Montenegro Fighting Championship (MFC) welterweight title by punching his way to a first-round TKO victory against Ivan Vladimir back in 2017. 

Upon being asked the aforementioned question -- regarding what drew him to ungloved combat, as he heads into his maiden BKFC fight -- Negucic alluded to the old-school allure of bare-knuckle fighting. He stated: "What attracted me to bare-knuckle fighting is that it has this old-school feel to it, and that's exactly what made me want to try it." 

Are there any specific fighters you'd like to face in the BKFC middleweight division? Is your focus simply competing, or would you like to focus on a BKFC world title?

Negucic indicated that he's taking things one step at a time -- he's preparing well for his bare-knuckle boxing debut in the BKFC, whilst emphasizing that his MMA career is his primary focus. 

He explained, "We'll first see how this fight goes, and then we'll make plans for the future when it comes to BKFC. My priority, however, is definitely to continue competing in MMA, as that remains my main focus." 

Your thoughts on / message to BKFC Belgrade opponent Stefan Dobrijevic? Your fight is one of the most talked-about fights on the BKFC Belgrade card.

The BKFC Belgrade event, also referred to as BKFC Fight Night Belgrade, is scheduled to go down at the Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia, on October 17. A trio of much-awaited bare-knuckle boxing matches will cap off the card, preceded by several other matchups featuring fighters from Serbia and beyond. 

The middleweight showdown between Stefan Negucic and Stefan Dobrijevic has been one of the most eagerly anticipated matchups of BKFC Belgrade. It's been touted as a possible thriller, pitting Serbia's Negucic against Bosnia and Herzegovina's Dobrijevic, a classic Balkan sports rivalry. When asked for his message to Dobrijevic, Negucic said: 

"My message to Stefan (Dobrijevic) is to come as prepared as possible and give his absolute maximum in the ring, so that together we can give the fans the kind of fight they expect from us -- a fight to remember." 

You're one of the few fighters competing on the historic first-ever BKFC fight card in Serbia. You represent this beautiful nation of Serbia. What is your message to your Serbian fans?

The BKFC Belgrade event marks the very first event that the U.S.-headquartered global combat sports organization, BKFC, will organize in the nation of Serbia. Stefan Negucic is, as such, elated about the opportunity to compete at the historic event on home turf. 

Sending a message to his Serbian fans, he appeared to promise high-octane entertainment. Negucic stated, "My message to the fans is to come out in as big a number as possible and make as much noise as they can. Don't blink, because everything will be fast and dynamic! And, of course, I want everyone to have a great time and enjoy the event as much as possible." 

MMA star Stefan Negucic -- being a family man, disciplined training routine, BKFC World's Baddest Man tournament; advice to fans visiting Belgrade, Serbia

Who is Stefan Negucic outside of fighting? Your hobbies.

Stefan Negucic offered a gladdening take on life outside the sphere of fighting, as he hinted at the significance of one's family and loved ones. 

Revealing who he is behind the ferocious fighter we watch onscreen, Negucic noted, "Outside of fighting, Stefan is a family man who loves to travel and spend quality time with the people closest to him." 

How many times a day do you train? How many days a week?

Moreover, Negucic provided fight fans with an insight into his disciplined training schedule. Praised for his athleticism and striking prowess, he boasts 10 finishes in his 12 MMA wins -- winning nine mixed martial arts bouts via KO/TKO and one by way of submission. 

The fierce finisher, who trains consistently, outlined his training regimen, saying, "I train twice a day, five days a week. On Saturdays, I usually do just one training session." 

Your thoughts on the BKFC's $20 million World's Baddest Man (WBM) global tournament (2026-2027)?

The BKFC has issued a call to fighters worldwide to participate in its upcoming global tournament, namely the BKFC World's Baddest Man (WBM) tournament that'll run from December of this year to July of next year.

BKFC president David Feldman confirmed that the tournament's prize pool would be $20 million, and the winner would bag $10 million. MMA veteran and former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor -- who's also a BKFC co-owner -- will be the official host of the BKFC WBM tournament. The WBM tournament will be presented as a six-part documentary series on Fox Nation, with the winner being crowned at the Live Finale in July of 2027. 

A significant factor at play is that the BKFC WBM has been listed as an openweight tournament, which allows fighters between 185 and 275 pounds. Stefan Negucic is currently booked to compete in a middleweight (175-pound) matchup at BKFC Belgrade. Nevertheless, given the WBM tournament's enormous prize pool and the old-school openweight format, speculation has abounded that, in addition to the heavier fighters, many who cut weight from the 185-pound range to head below could also potentially try their hand in the WBM. 

Furthermore, Negucic drew attention to another prominent element of the tournament, which is that anyone can participate in it. The oft-discussed multi-city WBM tryouts run from September 24 to November 14, wherein 50 selected fighters would proceed to compete in the tournament's fights that commence in December. The Serbian fighter indicated that the WBM is an opportunity for fighters to prove themselves rather than simply make claims of greatness online. Negucic asserted: 

"I can't wait to see what the WBM tournament will look like and who is going to enter it. It's a great opportunity for all those people who talk big on the internet -- now they have a chance to actually sign up, step in, and see what it's really like." 

Your advice for fans/tourists visiting Serbia for the first time for BKFC Belgrade? Your favorite foods and places in Serbia?

Stefan Negucic is a longtime representative of Serbian combat sports and the country in general. The knockout artist seemingly cited the exquisite food, vibrant city life, and captivating ambience of Serbia. Urging fans and tourists visiting Belgrade for BKFC Belgrade to explore the wonderful city, Negucic said: 

"There are so many great places to visit, and our food is fantastic, so wherever they go, I don't think they can really go wrong. Belgrade is a big city that's alive 24 hours a day, so I'm sure everyone will be able to find their own favorite spot."

He continued, "I'd definitely recommend exploring the city, trying the local food, and enjoying the nightlife and atmosphere." 

Presently, Stefan Negucic is en route to a middleweight bare-knuckle boxing fight against Stefan Dobrijevic at BKFC Fight Night Belgrade at the Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia, on Saturday, October 17.

Will the MMA star return to his familiar stomping grounds of mixed martial arts thereafter? Could the old-school vibe of the bare-knuckle fighting realm draw Stefan Negucic to gloveless combat again? Or perhaps could Negucic choose to continue competing in both sports? Time will tell.