35-year-old Ante Delija was on UFC’s radar for a long time. He was originally supposed to debut against Ciryl Gane back in 2020, but the fight fell through due to contractual issues. He spent the next four years in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), earning the 2022 PFL Heavyweight Tournament title. But what’s meant to happen always does.

On September 6, 2025, ‘Walking Trouble’ made his debut in the UFC with his fight at UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs. Borralho against Marcin Tybura. The Cro Cop Squad Gym team member stopped Tybura’s two-fight win streak and now returns on the undercard of UFC Fight Night: Garcia vs. Onama. But before the fight, people have grown curious about Ante Delija’s origins.

What is Ante Delija’s ethnicity and nationality?

The 35-year-old is from Croatia. And even though he hasn’t mentioned this publicly, he is likely of South Slavic ethnicity. He was born on August 7, 1990, in Dubrovnik, Croatia, where he grew up deeply connected to his homeland—a city known more for its medieval walls and Adriatic beauty than for producing world-class fighters. 

His roots trace directly to the Croatian coast, and throughout his career, he has proudly represented Croatia on the global stage. Delija’s martial arts journey began locally, training with Gladiator Croatia and later joining the Cro Cop Team, founded by legendary Croatian heavyweight Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic.

Under Cro Cop’s mentorship, Delija developed a disciplined, measured style that mirrors the spirit often associated with Croatian fighters. Despite opportunities to train abroad, he chose to stay in Croatia, maintaining strong ties to his community. Even when his career took him to international promotions, Delija continued to identify proudly with his Croatian heritage. 

He is often seen walking out with the Croatian flag, symbolizing both where he comes from and what drives him.

Ante Delija has the resume of champions

‘Walking Trouble’ has carved out an impressive professional record in mixed martial arts, which stands at 26-6. Competing since 2011, Delija has showcased his finishing instincts and resilience across multiple organizations, including PFL, KSW, Rizin, and now the UFC. Out of his 26 victories, 13 have come by knockout or TKO, 6 by submission, and 7 via decision, highlighting his ability to adapt to different styles and scenarios inside the cage.

Delija’s career features key wins over notable names like Marcin Tybura, Renan Ferreira, and Matheus Scheffel. His crowning achievement came during the 2022 PFL season, where he captured the heavyweight championship with a first-round TKO of Scheffel in the finals. It took him over 14 years, but Delija finally made it to the UFC in 2025, with a win over Tybura at UFC Fight Night 258.

Having said that, if Ante Delija can overcome Waldo Cortes-Acosta on Saturday night, there are even bigger things waiting for the Croatian heavyweight. Do you think he gets the win?