Darko Stošić

Darko Stošić (Дарко Стошић; born February 9, 1992) is a Serbian mixed martial artist currently fighting for Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW) in the heavyweight division. He is the former Final Fight Championship (FFC) heavyweight champion and he also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is currently ranked #1 in the KSW heavyweight rankings.

Background
Stošić was born in Laćarak, Serbia in 1992. He attended Triva Vitasović Lebarnik Primary School where he started his judo lessons in LSK Judo Club in Laćarak. He won many judo championships in Serbia and the Balkan region before he went to compete in kickboxing. He transitioned to MMA at the age of 18, training at the Car Dušan Silni gym along with Gagi Tešanović and Rođa Radosavljević, after Tesla Fighting Championship was formed, in hope to fight under the promotion.

Judo career
Stošić started training in judo at the age of seven until 2012 under Miša Jovetić. He was the judo national champion 10 times and twice Balkan champion which he was awarded the best athlete in MMA Red Star.

Early career
Stošić started his professional MMA career in 2012 and fought under various promotions, namely Tesla Fighting Championship, Adrenalin Freefight Challenge and Final Fight Championship where he was the heavyweight champion. He amassed the record of 12–1 prior signed by UFC in December 2017.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Stošić made his UFC promotion debut on July 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Smith against Jeremy Kimball. He won the fight via technical knockout.

Stošić was scheduled to face Magomed Ankalaev on February 23, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 3. However, Stošić pulled out of the fight on January 23, 2019, citing injury. Ankalaev instead faced promotional newcomer Klidson Abreu.

His second UFC fight came on June 1, 2019, against Devin Clark at UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Smith. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Stošić faced Kennedy Nzechukwu on August 3, 2019, at UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Lawler. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Stošić faced Jamahal Hill on January 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 166. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Stošić was released by the UFC on February 11, 2020.

KSW
It was announced in April 2020, that Darko was signing a 4-fight deal with KSW. For his organizational debut, Stošić is scheduled to fight the five-fight KSW veteran Michał Włodarek at KSW 58. The fight was later postponed for KSW 59: Fight Code. He won the bout via KO in the second round.

Stošić, as a replacement for Jay Silva, faced Michał Kita on June 5, 2021, at KSW 61. He controlled most of the bout and finished Kita in the first round via ground and pound.

Stošić faced Michał Andryszak on September 4, 2021, at KSW 63: Crime of The Century. He won the bout via split decision.

Stošić fought for the KSW Heavyweight Championship against reigning champion Phil De Fries at KSW 67 on February 26, 2022. He lost the bout via TKO after tapping due to combination of exhaustion and damage in the fifth round.

Stošić faced Michał Kita in a rematch at KSW 74: De Fries vs. Prasel on September 10, 2022. He won the bout in the second round, knocking Kita out.

Stošić faced Shamil Gaziev on February 18, 2023, at BRAVE CF 69, losing the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round.

Stošić faced Stefan Vojcak on July 15, 2023, at KSW 84: De Fries vs. Bajor, winning the bout after knocking Vojcak out in the third round.

Stošić headlined KSW 87 against Michal Martínek on October 15, 2023, winning the bout after knocking out Martínek in the first round.

Stošić faced Matheus Scheffel at XTB KSW Epic: Chalidow vs Adamek on February 24, 2024, winning the bout via ground and pound TKO in the first round.

Judo

 * 2008 Serbian U17 under 90 kg Champion
 * 2008 Balkan U17 under 90 kg Champion
 * 2010 Serbian U20 under 100 kg Champion
 * 2010 Serbian U23 under 100 kg Champion
 * 2011 Serbian U20 under 100 kg Champion
 * 2011 Balkan U20 under 100 kg Champion

Mixed martial arts

 * Final Fight Championship
 * FFC Heavyweight Championship (One time)
 * Two successful title defenses