Goran Reljic
“Ghost”
Source: aca-mma.comGoran Reljić combined MMA with BJJ teaching in Croatia, earned his black belt from the Redzovics and won KSW's light-heavyweight title in 2015.
Biography
Sources for this profile
Fight Site, Reljić career interview, April 16, 2022(opens in a new tab)
Reljić recalled beginning jiu-jitsu in 2003 after a friend persuaded him to attend a class. His early interest was overwhelmingly grappling: he wanted to take opponents down and find submissions, rather than work on striking.
Where in the source: First answer: introduction to martial arts.
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In 2022 he reflected that returning after the spinal operation had been more than a physical challenge: he felt he had lost some of his early drive and confidence.
Where in the source: Answer on recovery and motivation.
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Reljić said he first tried bare-knuckle boxing in 2017 when MMA opponents were difficult to find, treating it as a new competitive challenge.
Where in the source: First part of answer on bare-knuckle boxing.
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Preparing for another MMA bout in 2022, he described sparring with Ivan Vitasović in Pula and planning further work with Aleksandar Rakić’s group. He wanted to combine striking and ground work rather than rely on one area.
Where in the source: Closing answer on preparation.
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Jutarnji list, A. Sinovčić interview with Reljić, December 16, 2006(opens in a new tab)
He described his initial martial-arts training as recreational, becoming more serious after he moved to Zagreb. Training with Mirko Filipović helped reduce his fear of facing other fighters, and he also valued work with Mike Benčić and Fabrício Werdum.
Where in the source: Opening recollection and Rogerov plavi pojas section.
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A December 2006 interview documents a month at Roger Gracie’s London academy that June, with long days of training six days a week and a blue-belt promotion from Gracie.
Where in the source: Rogerov plavi pojas: June London visit.
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At the end of 2006 he planned to put the gi back on and return to London to prepare for the European Championships in Portugal, alongside his developing MMA career.
Where in the source: Closing section on January European plans.
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BJJ Eastern Europe, Goran Reljic interview, April 2, 2015(opens in a new tab)
Looking back in 2015, Reljić said he had continued training with Roger Gracie until 2010 and regarded the experience as important to his development.
Where in the source: Answer on his years with Roger.
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A Croatian contact introduced him to Eddie and Adem Redzovic. By 2015 he described the brothers as family and said their relationship had changed his perspective on sport and life.
Where in the source: Answer on meeting the Redzovics.
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In 2015 he remained interested in BJJ and grappling competition, but said MMA was his main priority.
Where in the source: Answer on parallel grappling competition.
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UFC, Martins Denis interview on returning to light heavyweight, November 8, 2010(opens in a new tab)
Reljić won his UFC debut against Wilson Gouveia in 2008, before a back injury requiring surgery kept him away from competition for nearly two years.
Where in the source: Opening career overview.
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After losses at middleweight in 2010, he returned to light heavyweight, saying that the larger division suited his body better. He regarded the defeats as lessons rather than a reason to stop improving.
Where in the source: Discussion of weight division and final interview answers.
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Zadarski list, Roman Morović report on Reljić’s BJJ school, May 23, 2009(opens in a new tab)
While his return to UFC competition was still uncertain in May 2009, Reljić opened a BJJ school in Zadar. He said he wanted the knowledge he had gained from experienced coaches to reach younger people locally.
Where in the source: Opening school report and motivation.
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The school initially had roughly fifteen participants and trained three evenings a week. Reljić hoped to involve more children and invite his London instructors to give seminars.
Where in the source: Najvažnija je volja and training information.
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Reljić was still a brown belt in the 2009 school interview. He told prospective students that advancement required sustained training rather than quick grading.
Where in the source: Paragraph on belts and progression.
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UFC, Martins Denis interview with Goran Reljic, 2010(opens in a new tab)
During his first UFC return campaign he trained at Xtreme Couture and received help in Australia from Anthony Perosh and Elvis Sinosic. The contemporary UFC interview noted his rubber guard and omoplata attempts as part of a wider MMA game.
Where in the source: Middle interview paragraphs on Australian training and grappling.
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Profightstore, Ina Ferenčić report on Croatian Combat Academy, June 13, 2013(opens in a new tab)
A June 2013 report identifies Reljić, Narcis Mujkić and Dražen Forgač as founders and co-owners of Croatian Combat Academy at the Zagreb Fair.
Where in the source: Opening report and named staff list.
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The academy’s programme put Reljić in charge of BJJ with Luka Jelčić assisting, while both recreational and professional members could train MMA. The management also sought fights and sponsors for its fighters.
Where in the source: Mujkić’s explanation of coaching and fighter support.
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The team intended to connect Croatian prospects with American Top Team through a scouting seminar with Conan Silveira. Obtaining an American Top Team Zagreb licence was described as an aim, rather than a completed affiliation.
Where in the source: Answers on Silveira’s planned visit and ATT cooperation.
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Profightstore, Conan Silveira interview about Croatian Combat Academy, September 16, 2013(opens in a new tab)
A September 2013 follow-up reports that Silveira had visited the Croatian academy and scouting seminar with Reljić, Mujkić and their team. Silveira described the relationship as developing and saw promise in the local fighters.
Where in the source: Introduction and Silveira’s CCA-cooperation answer.
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BJJ Eastern Europe, Reljic black-belt promotion statement, July 3, 2013(opens in a new tab)
Reljić’s published promotion statement dates his BJJ black belt to July 2, 2013, from Eddie and Adem Redzovic in Chicago.
Where in the source: Subject’s reproduced dated statement.
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KSW, history of international championship matches(opens in a new tab)
Reljić won the vacant KSW light-heavyweight title against Attila Végh at KSW 31 on May 23, 2015, after earlier wins over Karol Celiński and Tomasz Narkun. The title match went the distance and was decided by split decision.
Where in the source: Opening historical account of KSW 31.
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He lost the KSW belt in his next fight, a rematch with Tomasz Narkun.
Where in the source: Same KSW 31 historical paragraph.
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ACA, Goran Reljic official athlete profile(opens in a new tab)
ACA’s official athlete page identifies Reljić by the nickname Ghost and lists Zadar in Dalmatia as his hometown.
Where in the source: Named fighter header and hometown.
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UFC, Thomas Gerbasi report on Reljic’s rescue, November 21, 2008(opens in a new tab)
A contemporary UFC report describes Reljić entering the Adriatic near his Zadar home in November 2008 and rescuing two people from a car that had gone into the sea, while he was sidelined from fighting.
Where in the source: Opening report and manager’s account.
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Fight Site, Reljić recalls the 2008 rescue, April 4, 2024(opens in a new tab)
In a 2024 recollection, Reljić described hearing the crash from home and rushing into the sea to help both occupants of the overturned car.
Where in the source: Written excerpt of his MMA Institut recollection.
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Lineage
No teaching connections are shown on this page.
Open lineage