Marko Bojkovic knocked out Lom-Ali Eskiev in round one to win the FNC lightweight title; Milos Janicic says he hopes their rematch happens in the UFC.
From 8 reports by 5 outletsLatest Janicic praises Bojkovic's KO, hopes for UFC rematch 2 updates 5 outlets
What we know
- Bojkovic is the new FNC lightweight champion; Eskiev lost the belt in his first defense after winning it at FNC 27 on Feb. 7, 2026.
- Janicic said on Instagram he hopes a rematch with Bojkovic happens in the UFC.
- The UFC has not announced a Bojkovic-Janicic rematch, and Bojkovic has not signed with the promotion.
- Janicic beat Bojkovic by second-round stoppage at FNC 23 in Belgrade on May 24, 2025.
Reported, not confirmed
Disputed
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The finish time is given as 0:50 by the official FNC statistics and as 49 seconds by CroRing and Fight Site Croatia.
MMA Fanatik Slovakia
Marko Bojkovic needed less than a minute to turn the biggest night of his career into a title win. Eskiev, the champion, started with a left hook; Bojkovic stayed in position and threw a right hand through it, according to Fight Site Croatia. Eskiev went down, and a few more strikes ended it. Fightroom called it one of the best knockouts in FNC history.
For Bojkovic, 25, the belt follows a rough stretch. Janicic stopped him in round two at FNC 23 in Belgrade in May 2025, his first pro loss. He then lost a split decision to Donovan Desmae in Varazdin at the end of 2025 and finished that year on two straight defeats. In 2026 he rebuilt with a knockout of Ivan Vulcin and a controlled win over Piotr Niedzielski before facing Eskiev.
Eskiev had won the title on Feb. 7, 2026 at FNC 27, stopping Francisco Albano Barrio at 4:20 of round one, and lost it in his first defense. The former OKTAGON fighter, who also fought in ACB, ACA and KSW, is now 24-8 with one no contest, per MMAFanatik Germany.
Janicic, who signed with the UFC this summer, has since weighed in. Answering fans on Instagram, he agreed it was a good knockout, and when asked about a rematch he replied that they should go to the UFC, "I hope so." His own UFC debut in Belgrade against Noah Gugnon ended in a rear-naked choke after he hurt his left leg early. The UFC has not announced a rematch, and Bojkovic has not signed with the promotion.
Bojkovic's immediate path is likely to stay inside FNC, which returns in two weeks with FNC 35 in Podgorica. Whether his title win is enough to draw UFC interest, and a second fight with Janicic, is still open.
For Bojkovic, 25, the belt follows a rough stretch. Janicic stopped him in round two at FNC 23 in Belgrade in May 2025, his first pro loss. He then lost a split decision to Donovan Desmae in Varazdin at the end of 2025 and finished that year on two straight defeats. In 2026 he rebuilt with a knockout of Ivan Vulcin and a controlled win over Piotr Niedzielski before facing Eskiev.
Eskiev had won the title on Feb. 7, 2026 at FNC 27, stopping Francisco Albano Barrio at 4:20 of round one, and lost it in his first defense. The former OKTAGON fighter, who also fought in ACB, ACA and KSW, is now 24-8 with one no contest, per MMAFanatik Germany.
Janicic, who signed with the UFC this summer, has since weighed in. Answering fans on Instagram, he agreed it was a good knockout, and when asked about a rematch he replied that they should go to the UFC, "I hope so." His own UFC debut in Belgrade against Noah Gugnon ended in a rear-naked choke after he hurt his left leg early. The UFC has not announced a rematch, and Bojkovic has not signed with the promotion.
Bojkovic's immediate path is likely to stay inside FNC, which returns in two weeks with FNC 35 in Podgorica. Whether his title win is enough to draw UFC interest, and a second fight with Janicic, is still open.
- Summary
- Marko Bojkovic knocked out Lom-Ali Eskiev in round one to win the FNC lightweight title; Milos Janicic says he hopes their rematch happens in the UFC.
- Key points (one per line)
- Marko Bojkovic won the FNC lightweight title by first-round KO of Lom-Ali Eskiev at FNC 34 in Skopje.
The official FNC statistics put the finish at 0:50; CroRing and Fight Site Croatia reported 49 seconds.
Milos Janicic, who beat Bojkovic in 2025, said on Instagram he hopes a rematch happens in the UFC.
FNC 35 takes place in Podgorica.
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- Fight Site Croatia | https://www.jutarnji.hr/sportske/fightsite/regija/delirij-u-skoplju-marko-bojkovic-brutalno-nokautirao-eskijeva-i-postao-novi-prvak-fnc-a-15759092
Fightroom | https://fightroom.hr/imamo-novog-prvaka-bojkovic-strasnim-nokautom-uzeo-titulu/
CroRing | https://croring.com/mma/bojkovic-ekspresno-nokautirao-eskieva-i-osvojio-fnc-ov-pojas/
Fightroom | https://fightroom.hr/fnc-34-skopje-bojkovic-osvojio-pojas-cudesnim-nokautom-honda-dobio-budimira/
MMA Fanatik Slovakia | https://www.mmafanatik.eu/video-premozitel-buchingera-tvrdo-padol-nemecky-sampion-prisiel-o-titul-fnc-uz-v-uvodnej-minute/
MMA Fanatik Slovakia | https://sport.aktuality.sk/mma-fanatik/video-premozitel-buchingera-tvrdo-padol-nemecky-sampion-prisiel-o-titul-fnc-uz-v-uvodnej-minute/
MMAFanatik Germany | https://www.mmafanatik.de/buchingers-bezwinger-fallt-hart-deutscher-champion-fnc-titel-erste-minute/
Fight Site Croatia | https://www.jutarnji.hr/sportske/fightsite/regija/milos-janicic-odao-priznanje-marku-bojkovicu-pa-senzacionalno-porucio-revans-u-ufc-u-moze-15759369
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What they're saying
Mati Tereza@mati_tereza
@PTrbusek Bojković delivered, he said in pre-fight interview that he is going to KO him in 1st round and that people are not ready what is going to happen.. and delivered 😁
Oct 25 · View on X
Kavez MMA@KavezMma
Apsolutno savršen 1-2 nokaut za Marka Bojkovića koji postaje šampion lake kategorije FNC-a!
Perfektno pogodio!
#FNC34
Oct 24 · View on X
MMAID Balkan@MMAID_Balkan
💥 HARDEST KNOCKOUT IN FNC HISTORY!
🇷🇸 Marko Bojković finishes 🇩🇪 Lom Ali Eskiev in just 49 seconds with a right overhand - and becomes the youngest champion in the top 3 European promotions. 🏆
#FNC34 #BalkanMMA
Oct 24 · View on X
RedMMA@RedSmokeLLM
WOW! AND NEW! Marko Bojković sleeps Lom-Ali Esklev (24-8) on the beginning of the very first round, moving to 11-2 and becoming the new LW champion after the Main Event! Insane KO! #FNC34
Oct 24 · View on X
FriedMMA@MerrabiMedia
HOLY SHIT!!! Marko Bojković just starched Eskiev in no time!!! WOW 11-2 and what a stalk riser at #FNC34
Oct 24 · View on X
Fighters in this story
Marko Bojkovic
Milos JanicicMore photos
How the story developed
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Janicic praises Bojkovic's KO, hopes for UFC rematch
Fight Site Croatia
CroRingSources
MMA Fanatik Slovakia
MMAFanatik GermanySummarized with AI from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.
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