Medic Stuns Rodriguez In Serbian Homecoming

Uros Medic dropped Daniel Rodriguez inside 30 seconds at UFC Belgrade, then watched his home arena erupt in smoke and fire.

The welterweight contender landed a hellacious combination that sent Rodriguez flying, according to MMA Mania's Andrew Richardson. Medic chased him to the canvas and ripped a soccer kick to the body before finishing with ground strikes. The referee waved it off as the Belgrade crowd exploded. "There was smoke and flashes of fire throughout the stands and up in the rafters," Richardson wrote. A chant of "UROS MEDIC" boomed through the venue.

Medic Promises Title Run After Main Event Win

The moment marked Medic's first UFC main event and his first fight in Serbia since leaving nearly a decade ago. He told the crowd afterward how much the homecoming meant to him, then promised to bring a championship belt back to the country. Richardson noted the response was typically reserved for megastars like Conor McGregor, not the division's 14th-ranked fighter.

The finish capped a difficult main card for local fighters, several of whom were stopped quickly. Medic entered on a three-fight streak, though his recent opponents had been trending downward. Rodriguez spent most of the prior year in a Mexican prison before this bout.

Medic improved his record and positioned himself for a ranked step up. UFC Belgrade is set for another event in the region later this year.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — UFC Belgrade, The Morning After: Uros Medic’s star is born in Serbian homecoming