The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to Serbia this weekend for its first event in the country, with UFC Fight Night taking place in Belgrade. The card features 14 bouts, starting at 10 a.m. ET, and will be broadcast live on Paramount+.
The main event pits hometown favorite Uros Medic against American contender Daniel Rodriguez. Medic will be aiming to capitalize on home advantage as he faces Rodriguez, who recently made headlines after a brief detention in Mexico related to a small cannabis possession charge. Rodriguez enters the fight on the heels of a decision victory over Kevin Holland, where he demonstrated strong endurance, outlasting his opponent in the later rounds. Throughout his career, Rodriguez has been stopped only once, against Ian Machado Garry, a current title contender.
Medic arrives with a solid record but has faced criticism for the caliber of his recent opponents, with notable wins over Tim Means and Matthew Semelsberger—both of whom have since been released from the UFC roster. Additionally, Medic has suffered a knockout loss to Punahele Soriano. Analysts have suggested that Rodriguez holds the edge despite fighting away from home, with some betting markets favoring him to win by knockout or technical knockout.
In the co-main event, veteran light heavyweight Jan Blachowicz, age 43, takes on rising prospect Navajo Stirling. Blachowicz has struggled recently with four consecutive losses, but those defeats came against top-tier opponents, including three former champions and current titleholder Carlos Ulberg. Stirling, holding a perfect 6-0 UFC record and coming off a knockout victory over Ion Cutelaba, is seen as an emerging talent but is facing a quick turnaround, having fought on June 20. Analysts note that Blachowicz’s experience and consistency could give him the advantage against a younger but less tested fighter.
Additional bouts on the card include Aleksandar Rakic versus Marcin Tybura, with some expecting that fight to go the distance; Dusko Todorovic against Robert Valentin, with Valentin anticipated to win by TKO; and Vlasto Cepo facing Gilbert Urbina, where Cepo is favored to win by decision. Other notable matches include Ludovit Klein versus Tofiq Musayev, and Nina Milosevic against Hailey Cowan, both of which also have predictions leaning toward decisions.
Overall, the UFC’s expansion into Serbia marks a strategic move to reach new international audiences, featuring a mix of established veterans and emerging talent. Fans worldwide will have the opportunity to watch these fights unfold, with several contests expected to deliver finishes inside the distance.