Ante Delija Bio
Ante Delija, born August 7, 1990, is a Croatian professional mixed martial artist competing in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Since beginning his professional career in 2011, Delija has fought in multiple prominent organizations including the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he was the 2022 Heavyweight Champion, as well as M-1 Global, Rizin Fighting Federation, and Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW). As of September 16, 2025, he is ranked #9 in the UFC heavyweight rankings.
Early Life and Background
Ante Delija was born in Dubrovnik, Croatia, where he also currently resides. Details about his family background and early education are not publicly documented. Growing up in Croatia, Delija developed an interest in combat sports, which led him to pursue a career in mixed martial arts. His physical attributes, including a height of 191 cm and a reach of 198 cm, have contributed to his competitive edge in the heavyweight division.
Path to MMA
Delija began his professional MMA career in 2011, steadily building his reputation in regional circuits before moving to larger international promotions. His early career involved competing in various organizations, gaining experience and honing his skills. His persistence and performances earned him opportunities to fight in major leagues such as M-1 Global and Rizin Fighting Federation, marking his transition to higher levels of competition.
Ante Delija Career
Early Career (2011–2015)
Delija made his M-1 Global debut on February 28, 2014, in the main event of M-1 Challenge 45 against Denis Smoldarev, where he experienced a loss via submission. In 2015, he challenged Marcin Tybura for the M-1 Global Heavyweight Championship but suffered a severe open fracture of his tibia during the fight, which required two surgeries and a prolonged recovery period due to complications from infection.
Rizin Fighting Federation and KSW (2018–2019)
After recovering from his injury, Delija made a successful comeback on May 6, 2018, at RIZIN 10 in Fukuoka, Japan, winning by unanimous decision against Ricardo Prasel. On November 9, 2019, he debuted for Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW), securing a technical knockout victory over Oli Thompson in the second round, further establishing his presence in the European MMA scene.
Professional Fighters League Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Delija joined the PFL heavyweight roster for the 2021 season. Despite a first-round TKO loss to Bruno Cappelozza in his season opener, he rebounded with a first-round TKO win over Chandler Cole and a unanimous decision victory against Denis Goltsov, advancing to the playoffs. He lost to Cappelozza in the 2021 finals but returned stronger in 2022, starting the season with a knockout win over Matheus Scheffel. Delija secured his place in the playoffs with a unanimous decision over Shelton Graves and won the semi-final by first-round TKO against Renan Ferreira. In the finals, he knocked out Matheus Scheffel again to become the 2022 PFL Heavyweight Champion, earning a $1 million prize. In 2023, he continued his success with a unanimous decision win over Maurice Greene at PFL 5.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Era (2025–Present)
In 2025, Delija signed with the UFC and made his debut on September 6, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 258, where he defeated Marcin Tybura by first-round knockout, earning the Performance of the Night award. Later that year, he faced Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Fight Night 263 but lost by knockout after a brief fight stoppage due to an eye poke was overturned on review. Delija continues to compete in the UFC heavyweight division, ranked ninth as of late 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ante Delija is known for his striking power and physicality, utilizing his height and reach advantage effectively in the heavyweight division. His ability to finish fights by knockout and submission demonstrates versatility, while his resilience and tactical approach have helped him recover from setbacks and maintain competitiveness at the highest levels.
Notable Events and Milestones
Delija’s career highlights include winning the 2022 PFL Heavyweight Championship with a first-round knockout in the finals and earning the Performance of the Night award in his UFC debut. His comeback from a severe leg injury and subsequent rise to the UFC ranks mark significant milestones in his professional journey.
Ante Delija Career Wins
Ante Delija has accumulated a total of 26 wins in his professional MMA career out of 33 fights, with 4 wins by knockout, 2 by submission, and 1 by decision. His victories span multiple organizations, showcasing his adaptability and skill across different competitive environments.
Professional Fighters League Highlights
Delija’s tenure in the PFL is marked by his 2022 Heavyweight Championship win, where he secured multiple knockout victories, including two wins over Matheus Scheffel. His performance in the PFL playoffs and finals solidified his status as one of the top heavyweights in the sport.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the PFL, Delija has notable wins in KSW and Rizin Fighting Federation, including a technical knockout over Oli Thompson and a unanimous decision victory in his Rizin comeback fight. These performances contributed to his reputation and facilitated his transition to the UFC.
Ante Delija Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Information regarding Ante Delija’s family background and any lineage related to combat sports is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Details about Delija’s personal life, including marital status and children, have not been publicly disclosed. He currently resides in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and trains with Gladiator Croatia and Cro Cop Team.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Ante Delija transitioned to the UFC, marking a new chapter in his career. He made an impactful debut with a first-round knockout win over Marcin Tybura, earning a Performance of the Night bonus. Despite a setback in his subsequent fight against Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Delija remains a top contender in the heavyweight division. His ongoing development and adaptation to UFC competition will be critical as he aims to climb the rankings and secure further victories. Training with Gladiator Croatia and Cro Cop Team, Delija continues to refine his skills and prepare for future bouts in the highly competitive UFC heavyweight landscape.