Buzzer Social Media Platform FZCO
Sheikh Rashid Tower, Floor 04,
Premises 407-FZF 131,
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+971 58 296 9368
The story of Bosnian MMA fighter Selver Mahmić — a standout from the FNC Armagedon series and member of American Top Team Zagreb — is a powerful reminder of what discipline, heart, and sacrifice can achieve. In a detailed conversation on the Buzzer podcast, Mahmić opened up about his early struggles, his late start in combat sports, and his journey toward becoming one of the region’s most promising MMA athletes.
Mahmić began his martial arts journey at 17, long after most fighters had already joined established clubs. In 2014, devastating floods struck his hometown of Maglaj, destroying homes, gyms, and infrastructure. His own house was underwater — yet the desire to train never left him.
With no MMA club operating at the time, he improvised. He tied bags filled with sawdust to a tree and practiced strikes, inspired by movies like Rocky and Jean-Claude Van Damme classics.
His first real opportunity came when family friend and MMA fighter Ernad Dedić invited him to join training sessions once the local gym reopened. Even though he faced skepticism from trainers due to the “crowd he hung out with,” and endured rough sparring without proper gear, Mahmić refused to quit.
His next major step happened when he joined Titanium Gym in Usora, enabling him to finally enter competitions. In his very first fight, held in Prnjavor, he scored a knockout within 20 seconds — a defining moment that fueled his passion for combat sports.
He went on to compete at:
Mahmić often criticizes how diluted kickboxing titles became during that era, with “champions” seemingly everywhere. Still, he achieved strong results, including a professional kickboxing bout in Teslić where he defeated an Austrian opponent despite a brutal weight cut.
Although he competed in kickboxing, Mahmić always knew MMA was his true goal. Without proper MMA coaching in Maglaj, he mixed kickboxing and basic jiu-jitsu on his own. Everything changed when the first season of FNC Armagedon launched. Friends urged him to sign up, and he realized he needed elite training to compete seriously.
His dream gym? American Top Team Zagreb.
Inspired by the gym’s YouTube vlogs and driven by pure ambition, he began traveling to Zagreb — not by car or bus, but in a truck, thanks to a friend who worked in transportation. He slept at a friend’s apartment, worked extra security shifts to save money, and trained relentlessly.
Despite a wrist injury early on, he impressed ATT coaches enough to earn a spot among the team.
Just as preparations intensified, Mahmić faced a nightmare: he and his children contracted measles. As an adult, the symptoms hit brutally — 40°C fever for 15 days, vomiting, blurred vision, and complete exhaustion.
Yet he kept training.
When he finally returned to competition, he faced Martin Batur in Zabok. Due to a mix-up, Mahmić had accidentally researched a different Martin Batur — a 2-meter heavyweight from Zadar — thinking that was his opponent.
Despite the chaos and his weakened post-illness condition, Mahmić secured a 45-second knockout victory.
It was one of the key moments that put him on the regional radar.
In the Armagedon finals, Mahmić faced David Sivonjić, a powerful wrestler with a history of gold medals. Mahmić, whose background was primarily striking, had to bridge the skill gap through sheer scrambling and defensive heart.
The fight went the full three rounds and earned the title of Fight of the Night.
Although he lost on the judges’ scorecards, his performance was so impressive that Mahmić became the only defeated fighter in the entire season to receive a professional contract with FNC.
This moment confirmed that his potential, work ethic, and exciting fight style were impossible to ignore.
From the flooded streets of Maglaj to the bright lights of FNC, Mahmić embodies the spirit of a true warrior. His story continues to inspire young athletes across the region who dream of stepping into the cage — and proving themselves when it matters most.
Weeks before the scheduled fight, his young son Omar underwent a serious medical procedure. News of the surgery spread across social media as friends, teammates, and the regional MMA community offered support.
Despite the fear, sleepless nights, and constant emotional pressure of hospital visits, he continued training. Many around him questioned how he managed to keep showing up at the gym while battling the stress of watching his child fight through recovery.
His simple answer reflected the mindset of a true fighter:
“When you have a reason to fight, you find strength you never knew you had.”
Throughout the ordeal, his teammates and coaches stood behind him with unwavering loyalty. Among those mentioned with deep appreciation were:
The gym became more than a training facility — it became a refuge.
He trained through exhaustion, stress, and emotional turbulence. And yet, he still made progress, proving once again that mental toughness is as important as physical skill in MMA.
Behind every fighter is a support system, and he credits his wife above all. While he trains, she takes care of their son, often managing everything at home so he can stay focused on preparations.
“My whole family is a team. My wife stays with the child while I train. That sacrifice means everything.”
This deep family bond has fueled him through one of the toughest periods of his life — a two-year break from competing, but not from training.
Despite the break from competing, he never stopped training. Most of his sessions now happen at RSC Gym, one of the best training centers in the region. He also trains at Roberto Soldić’s brand-new gym in Vitez, which he describes as “world-class.”
His training partners include some of the most elite names and talents in Europe:
Sparring sessions with these athletes have pushed him to a new level — physically and mentally.
He expressed strong gratitude toward Buzzer, the platform supporting him and many other regional athletes.
The Buzzer team presented him with branded shorts and a shirt as part of their commitment to promoting local fighters and giving them a platform to earn through content.
He encourages fans to download the app, support athletes, and follow training updates as he prepares for his comeback.
As this Bosnian MMA contender prepares for his highly anticipated return to the FNC cage, his story stands as one of the most inspiring comeback journeys in the regional fight scene. After two years of battling health setbacks, rebuilding his skills inside elite gyms like RSC Gym and Roberto Soldić’s facility in Vitez, and training alongside world-class athletes such as Roberto Soldić, Oban Elliott, and multiple Brazilian champions, he now enters a new chapter with more experience, maturity, and focus than ever before.
Supported by his family, strengthened by his son Omar’s motivation, and backed by partners like Buzzer, he is ready to showcase a transformed version of himself. His targeted October FNC return represents not just another fight, but the culmination of sacrifice, resilience, and relentless work ethic.
.webp)
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
%20(1).png){kind=small}
%20(1).png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
