Miran Fabjan vs. Aleksandar Ilić Prediction on November 23, 2024

Match info

For the occasion of its fifth birthday, the biggest MMA organization in Southeastern Europe, Fight Nation Championship, has prepared a renowned fight card. The main bout of the event named FNC 20, which will be held on Saturday, November 23, at the Arena Zagreb in the Croatian capital is the one for the catchweight title between the Slovenian Miran Fabjan (the favorite for the win by best MMA betting sites) and the Serb Aleksandar Ilić. The time of the fight is 6:30 p.m. local time.

Meeting statistics

The current form of Miran Fabjan

“Slo Rocky” (5-3) is quite a sensation, a true refreshment for regional MMA, and an exceptional fighter.

Even though he lost both fights in 2012, his real career began in March 2023, when he defeated his fellow countryman Tadej Dajčman in the Valhalla organization. Then a 39-year-old Fabjan took the “scalp” of the Turk Fatih Aktaş. His move to FNC followed, and an explosion. His first match there was spectacular: a victory and dominance in two rounds against Tomislav Spahović. Then a victory against Mario Žgela and a challenge to Darko Stošić, one of the best Serbian fighters and, at that moment, the first challenger for the heavyweight belt in KSW (he lost to Phil De Fries). In that match, he knocked out Stošić twice but failed to defeat him because his rival came back thanks to his bigger MMA experience and won by technical knockout (Stošić grappled and beat him down on the ground). After that, Fabjan steps in for his colleague Ivan Vitasović to fight the former UFC member, Yorgan De Castro. Following that victory, Fabjan’s match against Ilić was announced.

Fabjan is a former Muay Thai fighter and kick-boxer, extremely dangerous in stand-up, finishing off his opponents with unreal strikes. He’s currently the most popular fighter in the region. In principle, the weight difference (moving from heavyweight to catchweight) can be his advantage, with the fact that Fabjan isn’t very good at wrestling, i.e. he’s weak when on the ground. Regardless of that, he’s the favorite: 1.75 on FavBet; Ilić is 2.10.

The current form of Aleksandar Ilić

“Joker” (15-6) will now fight for the first time in 2024, and for the first time in FNC.

He had a forearm injury last year after beating Marcin Naruszczka in the Brave organization, so he fought his last fight against Alexander Shlemenko (rematch, he won the first by knockout) practically without sparring. Ilić was defeated, and then he went through a period of recovery again before he signed a contract with FNC for four fights. The 35-year-old Ilić has more experience in MMA considering that he fought in KSW (2-2) where he hardened up fighting against serious opponents like Materla, Janikowski, Kęsik, and Vémola. In general, as a fighter, the Serb is good in the standing position, has excellent kicks, especially high kicks, is extremely fast, and moves well. However, this works in the 84 kg category. Here, he’ll fight in the 90 kg (catchweight).

Head-to-head

These two fighters have never met in the cage before.

Match analytics

We think that switching categories for this fight will benefit Fabjan more. The Slovenian is in better shape and had more fights this year than Ilić.

Tip: Fabjan wins by decision. Unfortunately, only moneyline odds have been launched for the fight thus far, so you’ll have to wait a bit to see more markets for the fight.