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UFC Signs Former PFL Heavyweight Champion in Strategic Roster Move

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 12:43 PM ET

The UFC heavyweight division remains in limbo, with the futures of Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall still hanging in the balance. While Dana White has hinted that progress is being made behind the scenes, the promotion appears to be quietly putting the pieces in place. One of those pieces could signal a new chapter—one that adds fresh depth to a stalled title picture, and maybe even a bit of chaos.

According to Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting, former PFL heavyweight champion Ante Delija—an experienced 34-year-old Croatian heavyweight—has officially signed with the UFC. Delija, a seasoned veteran and 2022 PFL tournament winner, brings with him a resume that suggests he could stir the pot in a heavyweight scene desperate for momentum. Over the past few years, Delija compiled a 4-1 record between 2022 and 2024.

He claimed the PFL Heavyweight Championship with a dominant first-round TKO over Matheus Scheffel, and picked up additional wins over Renan Ferreira, Shelton Graves, and former UFC fighter Maurice Greene. His lone recent loss came in April 2024 when he was stopped in the first round by Valentin Moldavsky—proof that the road to the top is anything but smooth.

Former PFL heavyweight champion Ante Delija has signed with the UFC, per sources. Story coming to @MMAFighting.
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) June 20, 2025

With Delija now in the fold, the UFC appears to be loading up its heavyweight ranks while waiting for clarity from the top. Jon Jones remains sidelined. Tom Aspinall holds the interim belt like a king without a kingdom. And Dana White?

He's playing chess while the rest of us are stuck watching checkers. Fans and media are ready for answers—but until then, the moves being made behind the curtain may be just as telling as the ones in the cage.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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