MMA fighter from Mostar Ivana Petrović confirmed through her social networks that she has severed ties with the regional FNC organization.
A woman from Mostar with a Norwegian address was working in December last year the first and apparently the last match in this organization. Then she was defeated against a woman from Zagreb Sara Luzar-Smajićbut that fight caused an avalanche of reactions in which many felt that Luzar-Smajić celebrated undeservedly.
Ivana Petrović after the defeat: “I choose to believe in His plans”
Petrović in his announcement on Wednesday evening explained how and why such a move was made and sent a message to other organizations that want to hire her in the future.
We transmit the announcement in its entirety:
Yes, I terminated my contract with FNC. Not impulsively and not out of emotionbut consciously and calmly. After everything that happened, it was the decision that made the most sense to me.
After the match, I spoke with numerous people from the MMA world, UFC trainers, fighters and experts with many years of experience.
Their opinion was unanimous. The feeling of injustice was strong.
What followed further disappointed me. From the organization I didn’t get an explanation nor return communication, with the explanation that the trial is within the competence of a private judicial firm. My management team tried to get clarification, but the contact did not result in a change of decision. In a sport where fighters risk their health and career every time they enter the cage, I believe dialogue is important. And when it’s heavy. 11 years ago I moved to Norway for similar reasons in order to have the freedom to be who I am and to build a career in an environment where decisions are made transparently. Systems where decisions are too often made behind closed doors have never been my choice. And never will be.
Despite everything, this fight clearly showed me how much support I have. It has always been my wish to fight in front of an audience in the Balkans. And regardless of the outcome, what I experienced that evening will forever remain in my heart. Hearing the whole hall say my name was something special. In eight years of my MMA career, I have never experienced such energy. Thank you for that.
If we are in this situation at least opened up space for conversation and made a small step forward for women’s MMA in the region, then this story has a wider meaning. Such topics deserve to be discussed calmly, openly and responsibly for the sake of the future of sports.
Finally,it no longer matters to me where I fight or against whom. I am open to new fights, anywhere and anytime.
What I’m looking for is simple: sport, real sport and clean sport that we believe in.
Anyone who wants sports knows where to find me.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: Facebook)
