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‘The new boy is in town’: Paddy Pimblett had 2 very different reactions to Conor McGregor’s UFC 329 injury

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3 weeks ago

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‘The new boy is in town’: Paddy Pimblett had 2 very different reactions to Conor McGregor’s UFC 329 injury

Paddy Pimblett experienced a range of emotions when he saw Conor McGregor go down at UFC 329.

McGregor's highly anticipated return from a five-year layoff ended in disaster Saturday as he suffered a leg injury that resulted in him suffering a loss to Max Holloway in just 69 seconds. At no point was McGregor able to show even a hint of the two-division champion he once was and the anti-climactic result left fans wondering whether the soon-to-be 38-year-old will ever regain his prime form.

The UFC released a clip of Pimblett reacting live to McGregor's loss, and he seemed enthusiastic about possibly replacing McGregor as one of the faces of the promotion.

“What's happened?†Pimblett said. “Oh my God, McGregor's done already? Well, he's finished, the new boy is in town. The main man's here. I can become the face of the organization now.â€

Speaking to reporters at the evening's post-fight press conference, Pimblett took on a more sympathetic tone when asked about McGregor.

“It was sad to see,†Pimblett said. “But that's the thing with this sport, you've got to stay consistent, you've got to keep fighting, and I think where he hasn't fought in so long, his body couldn't keep up with it. Coming out and throwing a crazy kick like that, first thing, his knee just collapsed underneath him.

“I feel bad for him. He's put so much into coming back and getting back in the octagon and that happens in the first five seconds, you've got to feel for him.â€

Pimblett has been one of the UFC's rising stars ever since he joined the promotion in 2021. He won his first seven UFC fights, including notable wins over veterans Michael Chandler, King Green, and Tony Ferguson, but fell short in an interim lightweight title fight opportunity against Justin Gaethje this past January. On Saturday, he bounced back in dramatic fashion, needing just 52 seconds to submit the top 10-ranked Benoit Saint Denis.

There's no questioning the Las Vegas crowd was giving Pimblett a raucous reception all week, so it's understandable he sees himself as a star that could someday be on the level of McGregor. For now, he's focused on booking another big fight and eventually claiming UFC gold.

“I want to be a world champion,†Pimblett said. “I want to be undisputed champion of the world. I want to be the first-ever world champion from Liverpool and I'm going to do that. I know that's in my destiny, I know that's in my fate, whether it's in the next fight or the next 10 fights. I'm going to be a world champion. It's that simple.

“If you want me to fight Justin next, if you want me to fight ‘Posh Boy' [Arman Tsarukyan] next, if you want me to fight ‘Chorizo' [Ilia Topuria], if you want me to fight Charles [Oliveira] next, anyone can get it.â€

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MMA

UFC Belgrade Bonus Report: Navajo Stirling one of four 'POTN' winners

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13 hours ago

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August 1, 2026

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UFC Belgrade Bonus Report: Navajo Stirling one of four 'POTN' winners
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Conor McGregor didn't want to fight at UFC 329, says Din Thomas

The Octagon headed to Serbia for today's UFC Belgrade event, and four fighters wound up taking home performance bonuses.

This afternoon's event was headlined by a welterweight matchup between surging division contenders Uros Medic and Daniel Rodriguez. The contest proved to be a short-lived affair. Medic was able to rock Rodriguez in the early seconds with a 3-punch combination and then sent him crashing to the canvas with a body kick. From there, ‘The Doctor' proceeded to land another kick to the body of ‘D-Rod', this before ultimately finishing the contest with ground and pound. The fight itself lasted just 30-seconds and marked Uros Medic's fourth straight first-round stoppage victory.

UFC Belgrade was co-headlined by a highly anticipated light heavyweight bout featuring former champion Jan Blachowicz taking on Navajo Stirling. The high-stakes matchup resulted in a coming out party for the rising contender Navajo Stirling. The undefeated 28-year-old was able to rock Jan Blachowicz with a massive right hand early in the opening round and quickly proceeded to finish the former champion with some nasty punches and elbows. The impressive first-round finish improved Stirling's undefeated record to 11-0 and puts him right into title contention at 205lbs.

Following the conclusion of today's event, UFC officials announced at the post-fight press conference that four fighters would be taking home $100k performance bonuses.

Performance of the night: Uros Medic earned an extra $100k for his sensational 30-second TKO victory over Daniel Rodriguez in today's UFC Belgrade main event (see that here).

Performance of the night: Navajo Stirling pocketed an extra $100k for his impressive first-round TKO victory over former division champion Jan Blachowicz in today's co-headliner (see that here).

Performance of the night: Gilbert Urbina earned an extra $100k for his first-round TKO victory over Vlasto Cepo (see that here).

Performance of the night: Nina Milosevic pocketed an extra $100k for her first-round body shot finish of Hailey Cowan (see that here).

Are you surprised by any of the performance bonuses handed out by Dana White and company following the conclusion of today's UFC Belgrade event? Share your thoughts in the comment section PENN Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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Uros Medic lays waste to Daniel Rodriguez in just 30 seconds, calls out Leon Edwards after UFC Belgrade main event

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14 hours ago

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August 1, 2026

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Uros Medic lays waste to Daniel Rodriguez in just 30 seconds, calls out Leon Edwards after UFC Belgrade main event

Uros Medic delivered another devastating first-round finish but this one bigger than any other for him personally as he did it in front of his home audience in the UFC Belgrade main event.

The always exciting welterweight needed just 30 seconds to deliver an emphatic knockout after he caught Daniel Rodriguez with a lightning quick left followed by a nasty right behind it that put the American down on the canvas. Medic continued dropping bombs from the top until referee Jason Herzog had to rescue Rodriguez to end the fight.

The official stoppage came at just 30 seconds into the opening round.

Afterwards, Medic was understandably emotional as the crowd chanted his name after the stunning victory.

“It's been a really rough couple of weeks since I arrived,†Medic explained after the win. “I couldn't feel like home even though I was on home soil. Now we got the job done and I just want to cry. I missed home so much.

“I'm going to cook the rest of this division. With you guys by my side, we are going to bring the belt to Serbia!â€

Quickly becoming one of the most must-see fighters in the UFC, Medic looked calm and poised to strike as soon as the fight started. He set up his combination as he stepped into throw the left hand that clipped Rodriguez and he immediately had the right hand cocked behind it.

Once that right hand landed, Rodriguez went down and there was little chance he was getting up again. Medic just unloaded on him with punches and the referee had no choice but to stop the fight before Rodriguez suffered further damage.

Now riding a five-fight win streak — all by first round knockout — Medic has designs on taking out a former champion in his next fight, which is the same opponent he called for after he knocked out Geoff Neal in his last outing.

“Listen there's guys I'd love to fight like Carlos Prates, he's way ahead of me in the division but that would be a fight to remember,†Medic said. “I asked for Leon Edwards, I think he's still in hiding. If he decides to come out of the hole he shoved himself into, I'll gladly be next to knock him out.â€

No matter who is next, Medic has clearly announced himself as a real player at welterweight and if he can continue this win streak, he's going to be knocking on the door of title contention sooner than later.

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MMA

Pros react after Uros Medic destroys Daniel Rodriguez at UFC Belgrade

Published

14 hours ago

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August 1, 2026

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Pros react after Uros Medic destroys Daniel Rodriguez at UFC Belgrade
Trending:

REPORT: Charles Oliveira set to defend BMF title in UFC 331 headliner

Today's UFC Belgrade event was headlined by a welterweight bout featuring Uros Medic taking on Daniel Rodriguez.

Medic (14-3 MMA) had entered today's main event on a three-fight winning streak, this after scoring first-round finishes over Gilbert Urbina, Muslim Salikhov and Geoff Neal in his most recent efforts. The surging Serbian had gone 4-1 over his past five Octagon appearances prior to today's affair.

Meanwhile, Daniel Rodriguez (20-6 MMA) had also enter today's headliner on a 3-fight winning streak. ‘D-Rod' had most previously competed inside of the cage last July at UFC 318, where he scored a unanimous decision victory over Kevin Holland. That triumph was preceded by a TKO win over Santiago Ponzinibbio in May of 2025.

This afternoon's UFC Belgrade headliner proved to be a short-lived affair. Uros Medic was able to rock Daniel Rodriguez in the early seconds with a 3-punch combination and then sent him crashing to the canvas with a body kick. From there, ‘The Doctor' proceeded to land another kick to the body of ‘D-Rod', this before ultimately finishing the contest with ground and pound. The fight itself lasted just 30-seconds, and marked Uros' fourth straight first-round stoppage victory.

Official UFC Belgrade Results: Uros Medic def. Daniel Rodriguez via TKO (soccer kick to the body and punches) at 0:30 of Round 1

Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Medic vs. Rodriguez below:

Who would you like to see Uros Medic fight next following his 30-second TKO victory over Daniel Rodriguez this afternoon in Serbia? Share your thoughts in the comment section PENN Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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