Jovan Leka vs Alexander Poppeck Pick, 08/01/2026 Predictions UFC Belgrade Odds

by Josh Schonwald - 7/28/2026

Jovan Leka vs Alexander Poppeck

UFC Belgrade

Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Jovan Leka will face off against Alexander Poppeck at UFC Belgrade on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The opening odds have Leka priced at -205 while Poppeck is coming in at +177.

Jovan Leka walks into the cage holding a record of 13-2-0. The 24-year-old records a weight of 259 lbs and measures 6'4". The orthodox fighter has a wingspan of 75". Alexander "Ironside" Poppeck stands 6'2" and tips the scales at 205 lbs. The orthodox fighter comes into this fight holding a mark of 21-5-0 (1 NC). The 34-year-old reaches 77". Regarding significant strikes, Jovan Leka lands 1.60 per minute while Alexander Poppeck connects on 4.01 significant strikes per minute. Leka connects on 75% of the significant strikes he tries while Poppeck is connecting on 57%. Regarding defending in the Octagon, Leka takes 0.60 significant strikes per min while "Ironside" takes 9.81. Leka also curbs 43% of the significant strikes his opponents throw his way while Poppeck prevents 33% of the strikes thrown in his direction.

ufc picks Jovan Leka predictions best bet odds

UFC Belgrade	Jovan Leka	Alexander Poppeck
Opening Odds	-205	+177
Record	13-2-0	21-5-0 (1 NC)
Average Fight Time	15:00	9:29
Height	6'4"	6'2"
Weight	259 lbs	205 lbs
Reach	75"	77"
Strikes Landed Per Minute	1.60	4.01
Striking Accuracy	75%	57%

Concerning grappling, Jovan Leka is the more apt grappler as he is averaging a takedown 1.00 times per 15 minutes. Leka is taking his opponents to the canvas on 85% of his attempts and stopping 55% of takedowns his opponents have attempted. Poppeck is taking his opponents down on 15% of the takedowns he tries and stopping 15% of all takedowns attempted by his opposition. When it comes to sub attempts, Leka is the more capable of the two fighters by going for 1.0 submission per 3 rounds while Poppeck looks to get 0.4 subs per 15 minutes.

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In his last bout, Jovan Leka fought Azamat Nuftillaev and ended up winning this fight by unanimous decision in round 3. Nuftillaev landed 75 of 87 total strikes attempted in that contest. Leka ended the night having landed 102 of 131 total strikes. In terms of significant strikes, Nuftillaev landed 9 of 16, which gave him a percentage of 56%. He finished the fight landing 5 of 12 significant strikes aimed at the head. On the other side, Leka ended up landing 75% of the significant strikes he threw by landing 24 of 32. In regard to the placement of these significant strikes, he landed 22 of 30 to the head. 33% of the significant strikes landed by Nuftillaev and 41% of them landed by Leka were done at distance.

In the last fight for Alexander Poppeck, he faced off with Jamahal Hill and ended up taking the loss by a punch to the head while on the ground in round 2. Hill ended up landing 66% of his significant strikes at distance while Poppeck ended up connecting on 89% of the significant strikes he tried at a distance. Poppeck landed 57% of the significant strikes he attempted by connecting on 38 of 66. He ended up landing 17 of 43 significant strikes directed at the head. Hill ended up landing 93 of 139 significant strikes in that battle. In regard to the placement of these significant strikes, he landed 55 of 97 aimed at the head. Relating to total strikes attempted in that fight, Hill ended up landing 97 of 144 and Poppeck ended up connecting on 46 of 75 total strikes.

Other bouts to watch

An additional bout that shouldn't be missed is when Uros Medic takes on Daniel Rodriguez. Medic steps into the cage holding a record of 13-3-0. The 33-year-old steps on the scale at 170 lbs and measures in at 6'1". The southpaw fighter has an arm span of 71". Rodriguez measures in at 6'1" and tips the scales at 170 lbs. The southpaw fighter will be looking to add a win to his career total of 20-5-0. The 39-year-old has a wingspan of 74". Concerning takedowns, Uros Medic takes his opponents to the canvas 0.34 times per 3 rds and Daniel Rodriguez takes his opponents to the canvas 0.51 times per 15 min. When talking about striking, Medic connects for an average of 5.59 strikes per min and landing 60% out of all the strikes he attempts. Joining him in the Octagon is Daniel Rodriguez, who lands 49% of his attempted strikes and is landing 7.20 per min.

An additional fight that you're going to want to see is when Navajo Stirling is set to battle Jan Blachowicz. Blachowicz will be looking to add a victory to his record of 29-11-2. The 43-year-old tips the scales at 205 lbs and measures in at 6'2". The orthodox fighter reaches 78". Stirling measures in at 6'4" and will fight at 205 lbs. The orthodox fighter comes into this fight with a record of 10-0-0. The 28-year-old reaches 79". When it comes to takedowns, Jan Blachowicz is able to thwart 69% of the takedowns his opponents attempt and is taking his opponents down on 48% of his attempts. Stirling is taking his opponents to the mat on 26% of his attempts and curbs 71% of takedowns his opponents have tried. With reference to striking, Blachowicz is absorbing 3.14 strikes/minute while he lands 3.55 strikes per minute. Stirling, moreover, is taking 2.62 strikes/minute and connects on 6.24 per min.

Who will win tonight's UFC match against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Jovan Leka (-205)

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Jovan Leka vs Alexander Poppeck Pick, 08/01/2026 Predictions UFC Belgrade Odds

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