Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at newcomer Bojan Mihajlovic as he takes on perhaps the top heavyweight prospect in the UFC, Francis Ngannou. Bojan Mihajlovic Hometown: Novi Sad, Serbia Age: 36 Height: 5’11” Reach: – Weight Class: Heavyweight Camp: Family Fight Team Career Record: 10-3 Key Wins: None Key Losses: Goran Reljic Background A long time veteran of the sport, Mihajlovic has been fighting professionally since 2003. He’s trained throughout the world, but holds his primary camp in his native Serbia. Mihajlovic has fought mainly regional fighters, but does hold a loss to regional veteran Goran Reljic. Strengths
- Decent footwork
- Effective at converting body lock takedown attempts
- Advances positions well on the ground
- Strong ground and pound
Weaknesses
- Low level of competition
- Light heavyweight body fighting at heavyweight
- Easily pushed around by bigger fighters
- Forced to burst in and strike against most fighters
- Too comfortable fighting with back against the cage
Match-up against Francis Ngannou A very difficult UFC debut is on the horizon for Bojan Mihajlovic as he’s scheduled to take on Cameroonian born heavyweight Francis Ngannou at UFC on Fox 20. It all begins with the tremendous size advantage Ngannou has in this bout. He’s five inches taller and holds a whopping nine inch reach advantage. Ngannou does an excellent job at maintaining distance and firing in powerful shots from the outside. The Serbian is going to struggle to get inside to work in body lock takedown attempts where he can do his best work. Ngannou is difficult to takedown as it is and it will be more difficult for an undersized heavyweight to do so. This is a bad matchup for Mihajlovic facing a fast rising heavyweight with size, strength, and power. Ngannou should have no trouble landing in this bout and I expect a knockout win in the first two rounds of this fight. UFC Ceiling Bojan Mihajlovic is a 36 year old undersized heavyweight fighter making his debut. He’s a fighter who has fought on the Eastern European scene but hasn’t faced much meaningful competition. He simply isn’t built to fight against the larger than life fighters in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Mihajlovic needs to drop down to light heavyweight if he’s going to have any level of success in the UFC. Brought in this late in his career it is more likely that the UFC simply wanted to provide Ngannou a showcase opportunity. Fight Film Check out Bojan Mihajlovic in some of his most recent fights: Bojan Mihajlovic vs. Michael Knapp Bojan Mihajlovic vs. Sasa Lazic Bojan Mihajlovic vs. Muhamad Mahmic