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UFC 329 video: Robert Whittaker potentially breaks Nikita Krylov’s jaw in light heavyweight debut

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UFC 329 video: Robert Whittaker potentially breaks Nikita Krylov’s jaw in light heavyweight debut

Robert Whittaker made a successful light heavyweight debut and he might go home with Nikita Krylov's jaw as a reward after his knockout win at UFC 329.

Despite giving up a lot of size, Whittaker's speed was undeniable and his power translated as he hurt Krylov several times during the fight. The end came after Whittaker clipped Krylov wih a stiff right hand and then followed with another huge shot behind it.

Krylov immediately grabbed at his jaw like something was broken and waved off the fight as the referee stepped in to stop if at 1:01 in the third round.

“Feast your eyes on that Reddit!†Whittaker joked after his win. “Honestly, there was a lot of nerves and we've seen guys move up and slide down … but we've still got it. I trained for the entire camp with the idea that my opponent is going to be the boogeyman.

“I came in nice and heavy and I hit as hard as anybody else. This is my home now. The middleweight page is closed.â€

While Krylov looked massive, Whittaker showed off his speed immediately with several lightning quick punches that found a home in the opening round. That led to Krylov closing the distance and looking for the takedown while working against the cage.

Krylov was effectively muscling Whittaker across the octagon while applying his grappling but the former middleweight champion finally escaped and connected with a punch on his way out. Whittaker followed that with a slick right hand that clipped Krylov before connecting with another hard right hook.

On the restart in the second round, Whittaker came out quick and continued to use fast hands to catch Krylov off guard. A combination followed as Whittaker snapped off several shots in a row that stung Krylov, although the Russian absorbed the damage well.

With two minutes remaining, Whittaker unleashed another blistering combination that hurt Krylov, although he didn't go wild looking for the finish.

Whittaker snapped off another hard right hand that rattled Krylov and the writing was on the wall that the fight was nearly finished. Another devastating right followed and Krylov backed away as he grabbed onto his jaw with the referee stepping in to stop the fight before any further damage was dished out.

Light heavyweight is far from the deepest division in the sport and Whittaker might already be one of the more dangerous fighters at 205 pounds, especially after such an impressive debut on Saturday at UFC 329.

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UFC Belgrade live blog: Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez

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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.

Medic—currently No. 15 at 170 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings—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) — 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.

“I 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.

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UFC Belgrade live blog: Jan Blachowicz vs. Navajo Stirling

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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) — 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.

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

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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.

“It feels great and you can see it on me,†Milosevic said while celebrating her win in front of the Serbian crowd. “We 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.

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