Denis Puric recalls the massive love he received when he went back home to Bosnia and Herzegovina: “I came back as a hero”

Denis Puric couldn't have imagined what awaited him when he returned to his roots in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In an interview with Nick Atkin for the Bangkok Post, the Bosnian wrecking machine revealed his recent visit to his home country was the first time he stepped between its borders in 17 years.

Puric left Bosnia and Herzegovina for Canada as a refugee due to the ravages of the Bosnian War, and he never anticipated what would welcome him when he returned to the land he was born in.

He said:

"It was a wonderful experience. Actually I went back to Bosnia for the first time in 17 years man. When we left that place, I was in a refugee camp. So I left that place as a refugee and then I came back as a hero. And just to see the looks on my parents’ faces was incredible."

Puric grew up smack in the middle of the Bosnian war in the early 1990s and had no choice but to flee the country for his and his family's safety.

The 39-year-old eventually found a home in Canada where he resides, but he still proudly carries the Bosnian flag every time he steps inside the ONE Championship circle.

After a three-round barnburner against Thai megastar Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE 167 in June, Puric returned to Bosnia and Herzegovina for a festival in August.

During that celebration, Puric felt an extreme outpouring of support from his motherland as he realized the heights and the notoriety he had reached in his career.

Denis Puric could further elevate his status when he takes on Elias Mahmoudi in a flyweight Muay Thai match at ONE Fight Night 26 on Friday, US primetime, at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

ONE Fight Night 26 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

Watch Puric's entire interview below:

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Denis Puric wants to finish Elias Mahmoudi to secure world title shot

Denis Puric will stop at nothing to secure his shot at immortality.

In an interview with ONE Championship, the number three-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender said he wants to stop Mahmoudi, the number five-ranked contender, by any means necessary to get his shot at the vacant ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title.

Puric said:

"I've got to stop him. I’m here to take that belt. This guy is in my way. I gotta f****** put him out, man.“