MMA

UFC Belgrade live blog: Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez

Published

5 hours ago

August 1, 2026

UFC Belgrade live blog: Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez

This is the live blog for Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez, the welterweight main event for Saturday's UFC Belgrade card at Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia.

Medicâ€”currently No. 15 at 170 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankingsâ€”is on a hot streak, with three first-round knockouts in his past three fights. The Serbian star has one mission and one mission only, to go for the finish or leave on his shield. In 16 pro bouts, Medic (13-3) has never gone to the scorecards. Following his recent win over Geoff Neal, Medic called for the UFC to bring an event to his country and now that his wish has been granted, the pressure is on him to deliver.

On the other side, Rodriguez (20-5) looks to get back on track after his career was recently derailed by an eight-month stint in a Mexican prison. Rodriguez is also on a three-fight win streak, having knocked off veterans Kevin Holland, Santiago Ponzinibbio, and Alex Morono, and now has to play the spoiler in front of a hostile crowd.

Check out the Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez live blog below.

Well that helped move things along!

UFC Belgrade has mostly been a fun show, but the heavyweight bought really brought the energy down. Fortunately, Navajo Stirling picked things back up, and there's almost no way this fight isn't fun.

Jason Herzog is the ref. There are 3 judges but I will be SHOCKED if they're needed.

Bruce Buffer gets things going and he's milking it a bit. But that's his thing, and the crowd is here for it.

We took our time with these walkouts. Rodriguez had a long walk to the arena, where he was loudly booed. Of course. And Medic's walkout was also long but fun as this arena seems very lively. Huge moment for him.

Medic is 6 years younger, but gives up 3 inches of reach. He is the favorite at -400 though, with Rodriguez at +310.

Buffer gets things going and this crowd is lively. Let's have fun!

Medic leads with a leg kick. Rodriguez does the same and it catches Medic in between, dropping him.

OHHHHHHHH! Rodriguez bounces forward and Medic explodes with a huge hook! Sends Rodriguez crashing to the canvas! Jumps on top and brings the thunder and this is over in seconds!!!!!!!!!!

Oh man, we've got soccer hooligan energy in this crowd with a man blazing some flares in the stands! Biggest moment of Medic's life and he delivered in the biggest way.

And the crowd is chanting his name. This is awesome.

Uros Medic def. Daniel Rodriguez via TKO (punches) â€” 0:30, Round 1.

Medic is on the verge of big emotions in his post-fight interview. The crowd is still chanting his name and he's clearly moved by it. He speaks to them before translating himself, saying it's been a really rough couple of weeks and that he didn't feel like he was home, even though he was on home soil. It's been nearly a decade since he's been in Serbia.

Then he gives a speech about leaving home when he was 22 and how he got here.

â€œI have so many words, I don't think we have enough time tonight. With that being said, I'm going to cook the rest of this division. With you guys by my side, we're going to bring the belt to Serbia.â€

Medic then says he's like to fight Carlos Prates, but knows he way ahead of him. Then calls out Leon Edwards, before sending us home.

MMA

UFC Belgrade video: Navajo Stirling tears through Jan Blachowicz in first round, calls out Khalil Rountree and Paulo Costa

Published

5 hours ago

August 1, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

UFC Belgrade video: Navajo Stirling tears through Jan Blachowicz in first round, calls out Khalil Rountree and Paulo Costa

A new contender has emerged at light heavyweight after Navajo Stirling took out former champion Jan Blachowicz in the first round at UFC Belgrade.

Despite taking the fight on short notice, Stirling looked more than ready, especially after the dropped Blachowicz with a perfectly timed right had that sent the Polish powerhouse to the canvas. From there, Stirling was relentless with his ground and pound as he blasted Blachowicz with elbows until referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight with the end coming at just 2:56 in the opening round.

â€œI think about fighting, it all starts up here [in the head], you can make it happen,â€ Stirling said after his win. â€œIt's an absolutely honor to be able to share the ring with a former champion like Jan Blachowicz.

â€œHonestly, we're all fighting each other so there can all be one winner but I'm a big fan of Jan. Just sticking to the game plan, I've got the best coaches in the world.â€

The light heavyweights were jockeying for position early with Blachowicz landing the first big shot after a slick jab caught Stirling off guard and rattled him briefly. Stirling had blood trickling down his face afterwards as he reset on the feet.

A moment later, Stirling uncorked a huge right of his own that hammered Blachowcicz as he was wobbled and stumbled backwards towards the canvas.

As Blachowicz hit the ground, Stirling jumped on top of him and immediately started blasting away with elbows including one that sliced open the former light heavyweight champion. The assault continued with Stirling just dropping bombs until the referee saw enough and rescued Blachowicz from further harm.

Afterwards, Stirling looked up the rankings and called for a fight against one of the top contenders in the division for his next outing.

â€œIf [Khalil] Roundtree or [Paulo] Costa want to fight â€¦ I'll whoop that ass.â€

In a division that needs some excitement, Stirling is providing that, especially with his past two wins. As for Blachowicz, the former champion falls to 0-3-2 in his past five fights and at 43 years old, the clock might be ticking on his time left in the sport.

MMA

UFC Belgrade live blog: Jan Blachowicz vs. Navajo Stirling

Published

5 hours ago

August 1, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

UFC Belgrade live blog: Jan Blachowicz vs. Navajo Stirling

This is the live blog for Jan Blachowicz vs. Navajo Stirling, the light heavyweight co-main event for Saturday's UFC Belgrade card at Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia.

A former UFC champion, Blachowicz (29-11-2) currently stands at No. 6 at 205 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings. Blachowicz fought Bogdan Guskov to a majority draw in his most recent outing and the two were supposed to rematch Saturday until Guskov was moved to a fight with Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Abu Dhabi this past weekend (Guskov replaced an injured Khalil Rountree Jr.). That unsatisfying result dropped Blachowicz to 0-2-2 in his past four fights and he hasn't scored a win since an injury TKO over Aleksandar Rakic in 2022.

Stirling (10-0) has won his first five fights to establish himself as a future contender in the light heavyweight division. The City Kickboxing product has finished his past two opponents, but faces a huge step up in competition in Blachowicz as he strives to break into the top 10 of the rankings.

Check out the Jan Blachowicz vs. Navajo Stirling live blog below.

Well, that was terrible. This event has been pretty fun, but that feature fight got real heavyweight.

Not entirely sure this will be much better, either.

Stirling walks out to some very somber music. He looks normal. Jan looks a little nervy as he walks? Also, Jon Anik says something about him being unable to lift weights during camp, and now he's seeming like an old man.

Even still, the old man is a saavy fighter. I suspect he uglies this fight up, slows it down, and loses on points.

Jan is 15 years older, 2 inches shorter, and a big dog at +265 with Stirling coming in at -340.

Buffer gets things going and it's time.

Jan out quickly to the center. Stirling with some lead leg kicks early, just small. Then he goes high and slips, allowing Jan to jump on him. But Stirling scrambles up and now they're clinched against the fence, with Stirling holding Jan.

In-fighting here but now major gains. Stirling with more inside calf kicks, staying busy. Jan trying to walk him down but hasn't thrown much.

OH! Stirling drops to a knee and it looks like Jan caught him with a big left hand as he stepped in. Jan tries to pound but Stirling clinches to buy time. He seems to be OK but he had to work it out. Stirling on his bike now, and he's bleeding from the nose as Jan comes forward. But Stirling is getting busier now, with a sharp jab.

HUGE RIGHT HAND from Stirling lands clean and sends Blachowicz to the mat! The commentary is quiet but this might be the end for Jan! Stirling pounces and he's pouring on the ground-and-pound! And that's it!

WOW. What a performance from Navajo Stirling!

Navajo Stirling def. Jan Blachowicz via TKO (punches) â€” 2:56, Round 1.

Stirling keeps it simple in his post fight. He shouts out Blachowicz, saying he's a big fan. Then apologizes for missing his sister's 21st birthday. Then calls for a fight with either Khalil Rountree of Paulo Costa.

MMA

UFC Belgrade video: Nina Milosevic demolishes Hailey Cowan with brutal body shots

Published

9 hours ago

August 1, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

UFC Belgrade video: Nina Milosevic demolishes Hailey Cowan with brutal body shots

Nina Milosevic kept the hometown vibes going strong on Saturday after she walked through Hailey Cowan on the UFC Belgrade prelims.

Already heavily favored to win, Milosevic proved the odds correct as she looked to put Cowan away from the very first exchange. Milosevic put a front kick to the body that immediately got Cowan's attention and that was almost the beginning of the end as it turns out.

Milosevic continued her varied striking attack until she unloaded a brutal punch to the body that literally had Cowan turning away and covering up from the damage done. That led to Milosevic charging forward and looking for a follow up as she connected with another straight punch straight to the gut that put Cowan down on the canvas.

The referee already saw enough with the fight being stopped at 3:41 in the opening round.

â€œIt feels great and you can see it on me,â€ Milosevic said while celebrating her win in front of the Serbian crowd. â€œWe practiced this like a thousand, million times. [I want to fight again] as soon as possible.â€

While it may have been her octagon debut, Milosevic's arrival felt like a long time coming as a top prospect in the bantamweight division and now she's finally arrived.

With the win, Milosevic becomes the first Serbian woman to win a UFC fight in her native country and immediately sets the tone for her UFC career as she might inject a little excitement in an otherwise slow-moving 135-pound division.