Stephanie Luciano vs. Marina Spasić
UFC Fight Night · August 1, 2026 · Belgrade Arena
Stephanie Luciano def. Marina Spasić — Submission (rear-naked choke), R1 3:30
Spasić came out swinging in her historic debut as the first Serbian woman in the UFC, but Luciano settled, found her range, and then went to the layer of the game Spasić doesn't have. Midway through the first round the Brazilian timed a takedown perfectly, moved straight to the back, and locked in the rear-naked choke as the partisan crowd booed. The pre-fight read said Luciano didn't have to win a kickboxing match to win the fight, and she didn't even try to — one level change ended it inside a round.
The breakdown below was written before the fight.
The emotional stakes favor Spasić — first Serbian woman in the UFC, fighting at home — but the technical matchup tilts toward Luciano. The Brazilian has three full UFC fights plus a Contender Series war under her belt, and she doesn't have to win a kickboxing match to win this fight. Expect her to test Spasić's power early, then start mixing in level changes once she's timed the counters. Spasić's body shots are the danger zone, and if she keeps it standing she can hurt anyone at 115. Luciano's versatility and superior seasoning should carry her, on the cards or by late submission.
The Matchup
A pure striker-versus-well-rounded matchup with an obvious fault line: the ground. Spasić is the harder single-shot hitter — six knockouts in seven wins, with wicked body punching from her K-1 days — but her MMA grappling is almost completely untested against UFC-level opposition. Luciano is no slouch on the feet, throwing high volume behind her length, and she just showed real back-taking and choking ability against Ravena Oliveira. If this stays standing, Spasić's power against Luciano's volume is a legitimately fun kickboxing match. If Luciano decides to change levels or drag Spasić into scrambles, the experience gap could show up in a hurry.
Tale of the Tape
| Stephanie Luciano | Marina Spasić | |
|---|---|---|
| 7-2-1 | Record | 7-1 |
| 26 | Age | 32 |
| 5'6" | Height | 5'4" |
| 65" | Reach | 64" |
| Orthodox | Stance | Orthodox |
| Brazil | Country | Serbia |
| Gordin Fight Team | Team | — |
The Numbers
Career UFC averages. Red bar = statistical edge.
Stephanie Luciano
“Rondinha”
Stephanie Luciano is a 26-year-old Brazilian from Belo Horizonte whose nickname 'Rondinha' — little Ronda — is a nod to Ronda Rousey. A tall, rangy strawweight with a Muay Thai base, she fought Talita Alencar to a draw on the Contender Series in 2023, earned a contract anyway, then beat Alencar in the rematch inside the octagon. She rebounded from a razor-thin split decision loss to Sam Hughes by choking out Ravena Oliveira in October 2025, showing a finishing gear to go with her trademark volume. She lands over five significant strikes per minute and defends 80 percent of takedowns against her.
- WRavena Oliveira · Submission (rear-naked choke)UFC Fight Night: de Ridder vs. Allen · October 18, 2025
- LSam Hughes · Decision (split)UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2 · March 15, 2025
- WTalita Alencar · Decision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Tybura vs. Spivac 2 · August 10, 2024
Marina Spasić
“Maki Beki”
Marina Spasić is a 32-year-old Belgrade native who spent years as a kickboxer on the Balkan K-1 circuit before switching to MMA in 2021. The transition took: six of her seven wins have come by knockout, several from her signature body work. She built her record across regional promotions like FNC, ARMMADA, Centurion and BRAVE CF, and steps straight into the UFC as the first Serbian woman ever to fight in the promotion. She gets to make that historic walk in her own hometown at Belgrade Arena.
- WSamara Santos · TKO (punch to the body)ARMMADA 17 · April 11, 2026
- LMarina Merchuk · Decision (unanimous)BRAVE CF 102 · November 23, 2025
- WMaristela Alves do Nascimento · TKO (punches)BRAVE CF 88 / WFC · September 28, 2024