Kaunas, Lithuania – The UTMA 17 mixed martial arts event delivered a night of upsets and intense competition at the Žalgirio Arena on Saturday, February 21, 2026. While the main event featuring Nauris Lukošiūnas and Nikola Cvetkovičius for the 75 kg kikbokso championship is set to headline the evening, early bouts revealed unexpected results, signaling a challenging night for Lithuanian fighters. The event, which boasts a record number of international competitors – 11 in total – is being closely followed by fans via a live stream on Delfi.
The evening began with a swift victory for Tomas Banskis, who defeated Serbia’s Vidak Blažičić in just ten seconds with a series of knockdowns. Romualdas Auga and Arnoldas Misiūnas as well secured wins in the “Early Prelims” matches. However, the momentum shifted as the night progressed, with a series of unexpected losses for Lithuanian champions. A verbal altercation between Oskaras Buinickas and A. Misiūnas added a layer of tension following their respective fights.
Unexpected Setbacks for Lithuanian Champions
The first major upset of the night came in the “Prelims” division, where UTMA champion Dovydas Levickis suffered a defeat at the hands of Latvia’s Arsenijs Nikolajevs by judges’ decision. This unexpected outcome was followed by another blow for the home team, as UTMA champion Mindaugas Narauskas lost to Morocco’s Akram Belmeki in a unanimous decision. These losses highlight the increasing competitiveness within the UTMA and the challenges faced by Lithuanian fighters against international opponents.
Dominykas Dirkstys, accompanied by Oksana Pikul, managed to secure a win against Maxim Zaplitnii by judges’ decision, but the victory was met with a chorus of boos from the crowd at the Žalgirio Arena, indicating dissatisfaction with the judges’ scoring. This reaction underscores the passionate fanbase and high expectations surrounding UTMA events in Lithuania.
International Talent on Display
UTMA 17 also showcased a strong roster of international talent. Ahavatas Gordonas, making his return to Lithuania after a striking debut, is scheduled to face Turkey’s Ali Koyuncu in a Muay Thai contest with MMA gloves (63.5 kg weight category). Another anticipated matchup features Deividas Danyla, also competing in Muay Thai with MMA gloves (66 kg), against Turkey’s Cengiz Lale. These international bouts add a diverse and exciting dimension to the event.
The main card will feature two championship fights. Mantvydas Perednis will defend his kikbokso championship in the 77 kg weight category against Raimondas Krilavičius. Following this, all eyes will be on the highly anticipated clash between Nauris Lukošiūnas and the reigning champion, Nikola Cvetkovičius, for the 75 kg kikbokso title. Cvetkovičius is defending his title after recently becoming UTMA champion, as reported by kakava.lt.
Full Fight Card
The complete fight card for UTMA 17 includes:
- Osvaldas Federovičius vs. Justinas Gedminas
- Ignas Pauliukevičius vs. Faruk Bulam (Turkey)
- Dominykas Dirkstys vs. Maxim Zaplitnii
- Deividas Danyla vs. Cengiz Lale (Turkey)
- Ahavatas Gordonas vs. Ali Koyuncu (Turkey)
- Mantvydas Perednis vs. Raimondas Krilavičius (77 kg championship)
- Nauris Lukošiūnas vs. Nikola Cvetkovičius (75 kg championship)
The event’s emphasis on international competition is a notable feature of UTMA 17, promising a diverse and challenging series of matchups for both fighters and fans. The outcome of the championship fights will undoubtedly shape the future landscape of UTMA’s 75 kg and 77 kg divisions.
Fans can continue to follow the action live on Delfi as the evening progresses. The next confirmed update will be the official results of the main event fights, which are expected to be released shortly after their conclusion.
What are your thoughts on the early results from UTMA 17? Share your predictions for the main event and let us know who you’re rooting for in the comments below.
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