Mark Madsen was debuting at home, in a key spot on the card, at UFC Copenhagen, but proved worthy of the opportunity Saturday night.
It’s a rare occurrence when a debuting fighter gets co-main event billing in the UFC, without being an injury replacement. Yet that’s where things stood at UFC Copenhagen. Mark Madsen, a former Olympian, was getting the penultimate placement on the card, no doubt since he was fighting at home in his promotional debut.
Danilo Belluardo, frankly, had been an afterthought all week, a fighter clearly booked as a stepping stone. While that doesn’t always turn out to be the case in a sport as wild as MMA, they stuck close to the script in this lightweight bout.
Madsen pressed forward early, pushing Belluardo up against the fence. It was just a matter of time before he took Belluardo down, landing in half guard and peppering his opponent with punches. Belluardo was soon trapped and eating elbows, probably a few more than he needed to as Belluardo simply wasn’t defending himself.
The ref waved it off, and Madsen had his first UFC win. Calling it an awesome feeling, Madsen wanted nothing more than to get back to the gym. “Let me get back to work. That’s what I’m about,” Madsen said post-fight, saying his goal was to be the fittest lightweight on the roster.
Result: Mark Madsen def. Danilo Belluardo by TKO, Round 1, 1:12
