Rodriguez On Quick UFC Belgrade Knockout Loss

Daniel Rodriguez has addressed his brutal 30-second knockout loss to Uros Medic in the main event of UFC Belgrade on Saturday night.

The top-15 welterweight posted a statement on Instagram following the stoppage defeat and a hospital visit afterward, per MMA Mania. "F—k, I loaded up on the jab, and he beat me to the punch," Rodriguez wrote. "Shit happens, I guess."

Rodriguez Proud Despite Setback After Prison Stint

Rodriguez acknowledged the quick finish ended a three-fight winning streak but said he remained proud of his journey back to the octagon. The 35-year-old spent eight months in a Tijuana prison after getting caught with marijuana at the border just days after beating Kevin Holland at UFC 318 last year. He had defeated Santiago Ponzinibbio by knockout and Alex Morono by decision in the fights before that.

In his Instagram post, Rodriguez referenced both his incarceration and the risk of fighting Medic on Serbian soil. "I was way out of shape when I got out of prison," he said. "We knew the risk coming out here and fighting this dude in his hometown and still took it."

Rodriguez, now 20-6 as a professional, could target a quick return at UFC 331 in Los Angeles next month or Noche UFC 4 one week earlier if medically cleared.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Daniel Rodriguez releases statement following UFC Belgrade knockout loss – ‘Beat me to the punch’