Ivan Sičaja Previews FNC Title Fight: Mindset, Preparation, and the Road to Arena Zagreb

Croatian MMA standout Ivan Sičaja is entering the most important phase of his career as he prepares for a FNC championship bout against Polish contender Pawel Politylo. In a recent appearance on Buzzer Talks #8, Sičaja opened up about his training camp, the highly anticipated rematch, weight-cut challenges, and his championship mindset ahead of the September event at Arena Zagreb.

With over 10,000 tickets already sold, excitement is building rapidly for what promises to be one of the most significant FNC events to date.

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Fight Night Set for Arena Zagreb: September 6–9

The title fight is scheduled for September 6–9 at Arena Zagreb, one of the largest combat sports venues in the region. According to Sičaja, ticket sales are booming, with the arena expected to sell out quickly.
The fight will take place in the 66 kg (featherweight) division, with the vacant title now up for grabs after the previous champion vacated the belt.

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The Rematch: Ivan Sičaja vs. Pawel Politylo

This championship fight is not just about gold—it’s about settling unfinished business. Sičaja and Pawel Politylo, the reigning champion of the Polish organization Babilon MMA, previously fought in a tightly contested bout that ended in a split decision victory for Sičaja.

The first encounter was marked by:

• A highly controversial judging decision
  
  
• Weight-cut issues on Politylo’s side
  
  
• Minus points awarded to the Polish fighter for missing weight and illegal strikes

Despite the victory, Sičaja suffered serious setbacks during the bout. Now fully healthy, he is determined to remove all doubt in the rematch.

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Weight-Cut Drama and Championship Rules

Weight management played a major role in their first meeting. Politylo reportedly missed the limit by over 1.4 kg, giving him a significant size advantage on fight night—estimated at nearly 80 kg in the cage, compared to Sičaja’s 74–75 kg.

For this title fight, the rules are stricter:

• Championship limit: 65.28 kg
  
  
• No tolerance for weight misses
  
  
• 20% of the opponent’s purse is forfeited if weight is missed
  
  
• The fighter who misses weight cannot win the title

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Training Camp at American Top Team Zagreb

Sičaja’s preparations are taking place at American Top Team Zagreb, even as summer distractions peak.

His regular sparring partners include:

• Marko “Panči” Ančić
  
  
• Đurić
  
  
• Filip Pejić
  
  
• A Chechen fighter known as “Brader”, who recently fought at FMC

Their team consists of fighters between 70–83 kg, allowing Sičaja to simulate different looks and styles during camp. Ančić, in particular, is a key partner for wrestling-heavy sessions.

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Tactical Outlook: Striking vs Wrestling

Although Politylo comes from a wrestling base, Sičaja noted that the Polish fighter has recently leaned heavily into stand-up fighting, scoring multiple knockout victories. Sičaja remains confident in his all-around game and plans to approach the rematch with a smarter striking approach to avoid injuries like those suffered in their first fight.

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Championship Mindset and Final Message to Fans

With seven intense weeks of training ahead, Sičaja is locked in mentally and physically. His motivation is clear: silence the doubts, claim the belt, and prove himself as the undisputed best at 66 kg.

Why This Fight Matters for FNC

This bout represents a major moment for Fight Nation Championship (FNC):

• A high-stakes title fight
  
  
• A sellout arena crowd
  
  
• An international rivalry between Croatia and Poland
  
  
• A chance for Sičaja to establish himself as a true regional star

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Final Thoughts

The Ivan Sičaja vs. Pawel Politylo title fight is shaping up to be one of the biggest featherweight clashes in FNC history. With unresolved tension from their first encounter, strict championship weight rules, and both fighters entering in peak form, fans can expect an explosive showdown at Arena Zagreb this September.

All signs point to a night that could redefine Sičaja’s career—and crown a new champion.