Croatian Marko Ančić (5-0) and Georgian Luka Giorgadze (12-2) will meet on September 12 at the Zagreb Arena in a featherweight bout that could reorder the top of the category.
The Fight Nation Championship (FNC) has confirmed a high-voltage clash for its FNC 33 event, which will take place on September 12, 2026 at the Zagreb Arena. In the featherweight category, the undefeated Croatian Marko Ančić (5-0) will face the experienced Georgian Luka Giorgadze (12-2), who is ranked third in the official FNC rankings. The winner will take a giant step towards the top of the division, currently dominated by champion Eduard Kexel, although the organisation has not officially designated the bout as a direct title eliminator.
Ančić faces the toughest test of his career
Marko Ančić arrives at the fight with an immaculate professional record. His last victory came on May 9, 2026 at FNC 30, held in Zadar, where he defeated Brazilian Ronaldo Ferreira by unanimous decision after three rounds. Previously, in September 2024, he finished Vojo Katanović with a choke in the first round; in February 2025, at FNC 21, he submitted Sami Zarabi also in the first round; and in September 2025, at FNC 24, he outpointed Mykola Kazachynskyi by unanimous decision in the same Zagreb Arena that will host FNC 33.
For Ančić, the fight against Giorgadze represents a qualitative leap. He has never faced an opponent with double the professional fights and ranked above him. His ability to alternate submissions on the ground with point victories gives him a solid foundation, but the pressure of being the undefeated local young gun, combined with the demands of an elite opponent, will test his mental strength.
“This is the opportunity to achieve the biggest victory of my career,” Ančić stated on FNC's official channels, aware that a win would place him on the brink of the title.
Giorgadze, the experience to halt the local momentum
Luka Giorgadze from Georgia is the most seasoned opponent Ančić has faced. With a record of 12 wins and 2 losses, he holds the third position in the FNC featherweight rankings and has shared the cage with some of the best in the division. His experience in five-round fights and ability to impose his pace make him a formidable adversary.
The combination of Ančić's undefeated streak and Giorgadze's reliability makes this matchup one of the most appealing of the evening. The Georgian arrives in Zagreb with the intention to defend his position among the contenders and prove that his experience is a decisive factor. For him, a loss would mean dropping several places in the rankings and moving further away from the title fight, while a victory would solidify his status as the next challenger for Kexel's throne.
A historic event with 11 fights and a title at stake
FNC 33 is set to be the biggest event in the promotion's history, with a total of 11 fights announced and the programme starting at 19:00 hours. The main event will be the heavyweight title fight between champion Hatef Moeil and challenger Darko Stošić. Also noteworthy is the light heavyweight clash between Ivan Erslan and Miran Fabjan. In this context, the fight between Ančić and Giorgadze may not be the main event of the night, but its sporting significance and the uncertainty of the outcome could steal the spotlight.
For MMA fans in Spain, FNC 33 offers a card featuring several names who have competed on the European circuit and could make the leap to major organisations. The featherweight fight, in particular, is an opportunity to see two rising fighters measuring their strengths. The winner will move closer to the top of the category, while the loser will have to regroup from a more disadvantaged position. The date is September 12 at the Zagreb Arena, with live broadcasting through FNC's official channels.
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