If the Octagon is going to touch down in Serbia on a yearly basis, then it’s safe to say the UFC started its relationship with the nation with a (quite literal) bang based on the number of finishes at UFC Belgrade.
The UFC set two new modern records at the event, with 12 of the 14 scheduled bouts for UFC Belgrade ending in finishes. Of those 12, 10 of them came in the first round, marking the first time that a UFC card had double-digit first-round KO/TKOs.
And when you’re talking about putting on a card in Belgrade, there may have been no better choice for headline fighter than rising welterweight Uros Medic. And judging by the significance of the card and how Medic topped off the night, this decision proved to be even more fitting.
Medic entered the UFC Belgrade main event with three straight victories via KO/TKO, all coming in under 90 seconds. He was paired up with Daniel Rodriguez, also a winner of three straight and known and respected for his striking abilities as well. The fight was expected to be a striking banger, regardless of how long the fight lasted.
And coincidentally, the fight didn’t last long. After getting hit with a leg kick by Rodriguez, Medic loaded up and fired a combination – and a left hand in that spree caused Rodriguez to crumble to the canvas. Medic then nailed a solid soccer kick to the body before finishing things off with some ground-and-pound. The fight lasted all of 30 seconds.
The Serbian crowd then gave a mass celebration for their Octagon hero, to the point where, for what may have been the first time in UFC history, flares went off in the crowd. This isn’t being said to promote the usage of flares (they are dangerous), but it’s to show just how much noise “The Doctor” is making at his weight class and how much popularity he has earned.
Four straight KO/TKO wins in the UFC is rare enough – the UFC broadcast noted that the only other person with such an active streak is flyweight contender Manel Kape. Having four straight finishes by KO/TKO in the first round is unbelievable. Having four straight finishes by KO/TKO in under 90 seconds is just pure insanity. But it’s the reality provided to us by “The Doctor.”
He’s definitely going to jump up a spot or two in the Meta UFC Rankings. Now consider the momentum that he has. It’s time to give him a step up with an opponent that’s in the top 10. If he wins that fight, let alone gives us another one of these highlight finishes, then we’ll know Medic is ready to aim for the top contenders in the division.
Good luck to any welterweight right now that might have to next deal with the anesthesia that is Uros Medic’s striking.
