Moeil's Eleven-Year Rematch

Hatef Moeil defends the FNC heavyweight title against Darko Stošić at FNC 33 in Zagreb on September 12, 2026. For the Düsseldorf-based champion, this is more than his first FNC title defense. Stošić was the opponent in Moeil's professional debut in 2015 – and stopped him in the second round.

Eleven years later, the circumstances have changed completely. Moeil enters as champion with a 17-4 record. Stošić stands at 23-8 and has earned another title opportunity after two stoppage victories in 2026.

The first meeting

Moeil and Stošić first met at FFC 19 in Linz on September 18, 2015. It was Moeil's professional MMA debut, while Stošić entered with a 5-1 record. Moeil's corner stopped the bout at 1:17 of the second round, giving Stošić the technical-knockout victory.

The result remains part of Moeil's record but offers limited value as a prediction for 2026. He has completed 20 professional fights since that debut. Stošić has also competed at a much higher level, including four UFC appearances and several title fights in KSW and FNC.

The 2025 rematch fell apart

The second meeting was originally scheduled to headline FNC 23 in Belgrade on May 24, 2025. Stošić withdrew with an injury. Miran Fabjan stepped in on short notice and Moeil stopped him in the third round, moving closer to an FNC title shot.

Moeil challenged champion Ivan Vitasović at Munich's SAP Garden on February 7, 2026. After four rounds, he secured a Brabo choke early in the fifth to win the FNC heavyweight title. The finish showed that his threat is not limited to striking exchanges.

Stošić arrives with two stoppage wins

Stošić also competed at FNC 27 in Munich and stopped Oliver Thompson in the second round. In May, he knocked out former UFC heavyweight Greg Hardy in round three in Belgrade. Seventeen of Stošić's 23 victories have come by knockout or technical knockout.

FNC lists Moeil at 193 centimeters and 116 kilograms, with Stošić at 183 centimeters and 109 kilograms. Despite the height difference, Stošić has the longer listed reach at 193 centimeters, compared with Moeil's 190. The measurements complicate any simple division of roles based on size.

What decides the rematch

Stošić's clearest strength is his punching power. Against Hardy, he remained dangerous through difficult phases and found the decisive shot in the third round. Moeil has shown two different routes to victory in his FNC appearances: he stopped Fabjan with strikes and submitted Vitasović in the title fight.

Stošić therefore cannot treat the matchup as a pure boxing exchange. Moeil can use his size in the clinch, manage the pace over longer rounds and finish on the ground. The champion, in turn, must avoid standing directly in front of Stošić. His record shows how little time he needs to end a fight.

More than an old score

The first fight provides the history but does not decide the rematch. Moeil was a debutant then; today he holds the title and carries a 13-fight winning streak. Stošić has already stopped him, but must now repeat that result against a far more experienced opponent.

FNC 33 gives Moeil the chance to answer his first defeat and establish his reign. Stošić can defeat the same opponent for a second time and leave Zagreb as champion. An early entry in both careers has become a heavyweight title fight with a clear history.