Moments before Dennis Buzukja walked out for his UFC Atlantic City fight against Connor Matthews, the promotion told him he couldn’t walk out with his Albania flag.
The UFC previously banned fighters from walking out with flags, but that ban was lifted after the Noche UFC event that took place in September last year, on Mexican Independence Day.
The Albanian-born fighter, Dennis Buzukja, is one of the only UFC fighters from that region, and following his win against Matthews, he explained how he was excited to walk out draped in the Albanian colors.
The 26-year-old picked up an extremely impressive third-round finish over Matthews in Atlantic City, bouncing back from back-to-back UFC losses since joining the promotion in 2023.
Why the UFC pulled his flag seconds before his walkout
Talking to the media after his impressive win, the Serra Longo product explained how just seconds before he was scheduled to walk out for his featherweight fight, the UFC came backstage to tell him he couldn’t walk out with his flag.
“I’m blessed to be representing Albania and it’s crazy, right before I was about to walk out they (UFC) came and told me I can’t walk out with my flag because it had gold trim on it.” Buzukja said.
Although the flag ban was lifted, it is unclear what flags are allowed to be presented and whether the rules are different depending on which commission is in charge of the fight.
Despite the last-second news that he couldn’t show his Albanian representation, ‘The Great’ admitted that his coaches told him not to think about it.
“I was like man you’re going to get me crucified by the Albanian people, I was like s***. Ray (Longo) said just put your hands on this guy (Matthews) and the hands will talk for themselves.” Buzukja added.
The Staten Islander mentioned how he would like his next fight to come on the UFC 302 card that is rumored to be heading to Newark.