Image Credits - Dinko Neskusil
At one of the biggest FNC events of the year, on May 24th in the Belgrade Arena, 26-year-old Matko Živčić from Karlovac will step into the ring. He will compete in the heavyweight division, in the discipline of ultimate kickboxing, where punches are delivered with small gloves. His opponent will be the experienced Glory fighter, 29-year-old Nikola Filipović, boasting an impressive record of 11 wins and 3 losses, including 6 knockouts.
Matko has been involved in combat sports for 22 years, spending most of that time in amateur kickboxing until the age of 18, when he decided to pursue a professional career. His most notable amateur achievements include: multiple Croatian national titles in two disciplines, numerous European Cups, double World Cup wins (in Italy and Austria), a silver medal at the European Championship in Spain, a bronze at the European Championship in Macedonia, and two gold medals at the World Championship in Dublin, Ireland.
Image Credits - Policijska Uprava Karlovacka
In his professional career so far, Matko holds a 6-2 record, with two wins by knockout. His most recent match took place last December in Karlovac, at the "Night of Gladiators" event, where he defeated Muamer Jugović via unanimous decision.
In addition to his sports career, Matko has been working for nearly six years as a member of the Riot Police Unit of the Karlovac County Police Department. “Ever since I was a kid, I said I’d be a police officer – and here I am,” says Matko, emphasizing that his father, who also served as a police officer during the war, played a big role in that decision.
Due to the demanding nature of his job, which requires top physical condition, there is no rest for Matko. He trains hard every day, and his love for the sport knows no limits. When asked who his greatest role model is, he answers without hesitation – Mirko Filipović.
Image Credits - Policijska Uprava Karlovacka
Their story begins like this:
I met Mirko when I was still in elementary school, during a seminar he gave at the Faculty of Kinesiology. I was lucky to be among the 50 chosen ones who had the honor of attending. Later, I reached out to him on social media asking for a training opportunity, and once he got to know me better, he invited me to his gym, where he told me his door would always be open for advice, training, and everything else that comes with it. I’m endlessly grateful for all the advice, the vast experience, and the confidence I gained through working with him. I can say without a doubt that Mirko has always been, and still is, my role model and motivation – both in sports and in my profession. And now, we officially work together at the Police Academy, where Mirko conducts training sessions for members of intervention and special police units, which I regularly attend. There’s a saying that you shouldn’t meet your heroes – I don’t agree. There’s only one Mirko Filipović!
Image Credits - Policijska Uprava Karlovacka
Finally, we asked Matko what he expects from the upcoming fight, to which he responded:
I’m giving absolutely everything in preparation. I expect a tough and exciting match, a fiery atmosphere on away ground, and overall an indescribable experience fighting in front of 20,000 people. May the better man win.