Borislav Nikolic replaces Josias Musasa at UFC Belgrade
MMA Fighting • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 25, 2026, 3:00 PM
Last updated Jul 25, 2026
Josias Musasa has withdrawn from his bantamweight fight against Mark Vologdin at UFC Belgrade, prompting the UFC to bring in Brave CF bantamweight champion Borislav Nikolic as a late replacement. Nikolic, fighting out of Belgrade, is on a six-fight winning streak and will debut in the UFC after competing mainly for Brave CF. Vologdin, a Contender Series graduate, previously fought to a draw against John Castaneda in April. A welterweight matchup between Uros Medic and Daniel Rodriguez is set to headline the event.
- •Musasa is out; Nikolic replaces him at UFC Belgrade.
- •Nikolic has a record of 16 wins and 2 losses.
- •Vologdin is 12-4-2 and fought to a draw in his UFC debut.
- •The event features a welterweight headliner between Uros Medic and Daniel Rodriguez.
- •Nikolic is on a six-fight winning streak.
- 3:00 PMMMA Fighting — UFC Belgrade gets late-notice replacement from Brave champion
- 3:00 PMYahoo Sports — UFC Belgrade gets late-notice replacement from Brave champion
"WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - APRIL 18: Mark Vologdin of Russia prepares to face John Castaneda in a 139-pound catchweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Canada Life Centre on April 18, 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) There’s been a late-notice switch-up to the UFC Belgrade card. Following an initial report from Marcel Dorff, the UFC announced that that Josias Musasa is out of his scheduled bantamweight fight against Mark Vologdin at this weekend’s event. In his stead, Brave CF bantamweight champion Borislav Nikolic steps in to fight Volgodin. Vologdin (12-4-2) is the rare Contender Series graduate who lost his fight, but impressed Dana White enough to earn a contract regardless, also earning an extra bonus from White for his 2025 Fight of the Year contender with Adrian Luna Martinetti. Vologdin made his promotional debut in April, going to a draw with John Castaneda at UFC Winnipeg. Fighting out of Belgrade, Nikolic (16-2) has spent most of the past few years competing for the Brave CF organization, winning its bantamweight title last June and then defending the belt at Brave CF 100 in November. Nikolic is currently on a six-fight winning streak and will make his promotional debut in his home country. A welterweight matchup between Uros Medic and Daniel Rodriguez headlines UFC Belgrade.
"Brave CF champion steps in on short notice to make UFC debut
Sources
External links- MMA FightingJul 25, 2026, 3:00 PMUFC Belgrade gets late-notice replacement from Brave champion
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - APRIL 18: Mark Vologdin of Russia prepares to face John Castaneda in a 139-pound catchweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Canada Life Centre on April 18, 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) There’s been a late-notice switch-up to the UFC Belgrade card. Following an initial report from Marcel Dorff, the UFC announced that that Josias Musasa is out of his scheduled bantamweight fight against Mark Vologdin at this weekend’s event. In his stead, Brave CF bantamweight champion Borislav Nikolic steps in to fight Volgodin. Vologdin (12-4-2) is the rare Contender Series graduate who lost his fight, but impressed Dana White enough to earn a contract regardless, also earning an extra bonus from White for his 2025 Fight of the Year contender with Adrian Luna Martinetti. Vologdin made his promotional debut in April, going to a draw with John Castaneda at UFC Winnipeg. Fighting out of Belgrade, Nikolic (16-2) has spent most of the past few years competing for the Brave CF organization, winning its bantamweight title last June and then defending the belt at Brave CF 100 in November. Nikolic is currently on a six-fight winning streak and will make his promotional debut in his home country. A welterweight matchup between Uros Medic and Daniel Rodriguez headlines UFC Belgrade.
- Yahoo SportsJul 25, 2026, 3:00 PMUFC Belgrade gets late-notice replacement from Brave champion
Brave CF champion steps in on short notice to make UFC debut
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