Uros Medic reacts to Daniel Rodriguez’s imprisonment prior to UFC Belgrade booking: ‘It puts a stain on all of our names’

Uros Medic is preparing for UFC Belgrade's historic inaugural main event in Serbia this Saturday against Daniel Rodriguez, but the Serbian welterweight has made clear he won't extend sympathy to his opponent over the legal struggles Rodriguez faced to earn this booking.

Both fighters enter riding three-fight win streaks in their five-round, 170-pound clash. Rodriguez spent eight months in a Mexican prison after an arrest for marijuana possession before his release in April, marking his return to fighting after over a year away from competition. His last outing was a wild decision victory over Kevin Holland at UFC 318 in July 2025. Medic, meanwhile, has been on a tear, most recently stopping Geoff Neal in just over a minute at UFC Houston in February—his third consecutive first-round finish.

When asked about Rodriguez's ordeal, Medic acknowledged the difficulty while maintaining professional distance. "It puts a stain on all of our names," Medic told MMA Fighting. "Mistakes can be made, and he's just a human being, so it is what it is, but I try to represent something better." He emphasized his commitment to making smart decisions and building his reputation through athletic excellence rather than controversy or headlines.

Medic was respectful but unambiguous about his mindset entering the cage. "I wish him well," he said, "but when Saturday night comes, I'm going to try to hurt him." The Belgrade Arena will be sold out for what Medic views as a historic opportunity, and he plans to send his hometown crowd home celebrating. "The headlines are going to read, 'The Doctor is in,' and another finish for Uros Medic," he said. "That's all I'm chasing."