UFC Belgrade’s main event saw Serbian standout Uros Medic welcome Daniel Rodriguez back to action, in a key fight for the welterweight division.
After spending eight months in a Mexican prison on marijuana charges, Rodriguez was getting right back to work. The pair sat directly next to one another in the UFC rankings, at #14 and #15 in the media-voted standings.
Medic opened the affair with a leg kick; Rodriguez fired one of his own, tripping Medic up. Yet moments later, Medic put the fight away. With a left hand across the jaw, Medic had Rodriguez falling, and a right hand connected while he was toppling backward. Rodriguez hit the dirt, covering up in desperation, as Medic poured on blow after blow until the ref had no chance but to stop the fight. That got the crowd hollering and chanting ‘Uros Medic,’ with the hometown hero winning big in his first main event opportunity.
It was always going to be a tall order to expect “D-Rod” to come out in tip-top form following an eight-month stint in a Mexican prison. The speed with which Medic got the job done, however, was nevertheless surprising. Medic was at a loss for words initially, while fans continued to chant his name. After, he’d speak about leaving Serbia at 22 years old as “a student with a dream.” Nine years, nearly a decade later, he returned home to great success.
“I have so many words, I don’t think we have enough time tonight. With that being said, I’m gonna cook the rest of this division. With you guys by my side, we’re going to bring the belt to Serbia!” exclaimed Medic. He then called out Carlos Prates and Leon Edwards, who he suggested was “still hiding.”
Official Result: Uros Medic def. Daniel Rodriguez by TKO (strikes), Round 1, 0:30
