Uros Medic TKO Highlights Record-Setting UFC Night in Belgrade

Uros Medic secured a 30-second TKO victory over Daniel Rodriguez as UFC Fight Night set a promotional record with 10 first-round finishes.

Serbian welterweight Uros Medic (14-3) defeated Daniel Rodriguez (20-6) via TKO at the 30-second mark of the first round to headline the UFC's debut event in Serbia. The main event victory served as the cornerstone of a historic Saturday night in Belgrade, where UFC Fight Night established a new promotional record for the most first-round finishes in a single event. Out of 14 total bouts contested on the card, 10 ended within the opening five minutes.

Medic utilized a clean straight left hand to stagger the 39-year-old Rodriguez early in the exchange. The 33-year-old followed the initial strike with a right uppercut and a knee that partially connected, sending Rodriguez to the canvas. While Rodriguez remained conscious, he covered up on the floor, prompting the referee to halt the contest. This 30-second stoppage represents the fastest knockout of Medic's professional UFC career, which began in 2021 following a first-round finish on Dana White's Contender Series.

Record-Breaking Night in Belgrade

The event marked the first time the UFC has hosted a card in Serbia, and the local fans witnessed a high-finishing rate across the entire lineup. The 10 first-round stoppages eclipsed previous records for a single night of competition. Medic’s victory extended his current winning streak to four consecutive bouts, all of which have been earned by way of knockout. Since joining the promotion three years ago, the Serbian fighter has finished six of his UFC opponents inside the first round.

Rodriguez entered the Octagon following an eight-month incarceration in a Tijuana, Mexico prison for drug possession, a sentence he completed in April. The loss drops his professional record to 20-6. Conversely, Medic is expected to enter the UFC welterweight rankings for the first time on the strength of this performance.

Post-Fight Callouts and Ambitions

Following the victory, Medic expressed a desire to face higher-ranked competition in the 170-pound landscape. He specifically identified Carlos Prates as a potential future opponent, noting that while Prates is currently ahead of him in the divisional standings, the matchup would be a memorable encounter. Medic also directed comments toward former champion Leon Edwards, suggesting he would be ready to face the Briton if Edwards returns to active competition.

"I'm gonna cook the rest of this division," Medic stated during his post-fight interview. "With [Serbian fans] by my side, we are going to bring this belt back to Serbia." The win was particularly emotional for the fighter, who had not visited his home country in nine years. He originally left Serbia at age 22 as a student to pursue his mixed martial arts career.

Medic's Path to the Welterweight Rankings

Medic's rise in the promotion has been defined by his efficiency in the cage. His 2021 contract-winning performance on the Contender Series set the tone for a career that now includes six opening-round finishes under the UFC banner. At 33 years old, the Serbian native emphasized the significance of winning in front of his compatriots after nearly a decade away from home.

His current four-fight knockout streak positions him as a rising contender in a division currently featuring names like Prates and Edwards. The UFC Fight Night in Belgrade provided a platform for Medic to solidify his status as the premier mixed martial artist from the region while setting a statistical benchmark for first-round finishes that may stand for years to come.