Uros Medic believes Daniel Rodriguez’s arrest is a ‘stain’ on the image of fighters

Uros Medic has criticized Daniel Rodriguez's recent legal troubles, calling his incarceration a damaging blow to the image of all MMA fighters. Medic (13-3) faces Rodriguez (20-5) in front of his home crowd at UFC Belgrade on August 1, with Rodriguez making his return to competition after spending nearly nine months imprisoned in Mexico on marijuana possession charges.

Medic told MMA Fighting that high-profile arrests taint the reputation of the entire sport. "It's unfortunate that he had to go through stuff like that," Medic said. "Obviously, it was probably his fault. And I think that type of stuff puts a stain on all of our names, on all the fighters' names. Media cannot wait to write another bad story about an MMA fighter." The Serbian assured that he maintains professional standards and avoids legal troubles, saying: "I'm not the type of fighter that's gonna be a controversial person and have trouble with the law, trouble with drugs, substance abuse, or anything like that."

Rodriguez was arrested while attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border with a small quantity of marijuana, which he had carried across the border multiple times previously without incident. He spent roughly nine months in a Tijuana prison before his release in April. Medic, who has never gone the distance in his career and is currently riding a three-fight knockout streak, will face an opponent also riding a three-fight winning streak.