Mahir Zuka: From Bosnia to the World Stage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Bosnian grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu standout Mahir Zuka has been making waves across international mats in 2025. Recently promoted to black belt, Zuka has proven himself among the sport’s elite—competing at top-tier tournaments from Abu Dhabi and Japan to Istanbul and Rome. His journey, dedication, and vision for the future are redefining Bosnia and Herzegovina’s position in the world of martial arts.

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Rising to the Black Belt Elite

For most practitioners, earning a legitimate black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a lifetime achievement. For Zuka, it’s just the beginning. After years of dominance in European and world tournaments across lower belt divisions, he now faces what he calls the “Champions League” of grappling—competing in the adult black belt category against the best fighters in the world.

Entering the adult black belt division, Zuka described the experience as stepping into the Champions League of grappling — a stage where every match feels like Željezničar Sarajevo facing Cristiano Ronaldo on the world’s grandest stage, a true test of skill, composure, and legacy.

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Global Season of Success

The 2025 season marked Zuka’s first full year as a black belt, and he’s already collected a series of impressive results. Alongside teammate Belmir Ahmespahić, he competed in high-profile events such as the IBJJF Rome Open, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Istanbul Grand Slam, and the Asian Championship in Japan. His crowning achievement came in Tokyo, where he defeated a Brazilian favorite and former champion to claim gold at the Asian Championship, solidifying his name among the world’s elite. Competing in Japan had always been a dream for Zuka — to test himself in the very birthplace of martial arts. 

Ranking Among the Best

Zuka’s consistent podium finishes have pushed him into the Top 10 IBJJF Ultra-Heavyweight black belts—a remarkable accomplishment for a competitor from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Each victory earns crucial points toward qualification for the sport’s four most prestigious tournaments: the World Championship, European Championship, Brazilian Nationals, and Pan-American Championship.

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The Struggle Behind the Glory

Despite his success, Zuka is open about the challenges of pursuing BJJ at an elite level—especially in Bosnia, where financial support remains limited. Unlike MMA or boxing, most BJJ tournaments offer no monetary rewards, relying purely on prestige and passion.

Zuka also pointed out the confusion in the martial arts scene, where many competitors claim world titles without proper context. He advocates for a system that can verify athletes’ legitimacy—something that could be made possible through Buzzer, the emerging Bosnian sports platform.

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The Role of Buzzer in Building Transparency

In the interview, Zuka emphasized the potential of the Buzzer app, a platform designed to promote athletes and bring transparency to competition results. He believes Buzzer could introduce an official results registry, helping fans and sponsors identify truly competitive athletes.

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What’s Next

Looking ahead, Zuka’s short-term goals include the Grand Slam Moscow, the No-Gi European Championship in Rome, and the World EGP in Abu Dhabi. Long-term, his sights are set on securing enough IBJJF points to qualify for the four major world tournaments—a goal that would not only elevate his career but also inspire a new generation of Bosnian grapplers.