Daniel Rodriguez responds to Uros Medic comments about imprisonment: ‘I definitely feel like I’m gonna make him eat his words’

Daniel Rodriguez is confident he will prove Uros Medic wrong when the two welterweights clash in the main event of UFC Belgrade on Saturday. The matchup marks Rodriguez's first bout since his release from a Mexican prison after serving eight months.

Ahead of the fight, Medic stated that Rodriguez's imprisonment was "unfortunate" and placed "a stain on all of" the UFC and MMA fighters, adding that he intended to hurt his opponent. Rodriguez dismissed the criticism, acknowledging that Medic has not experienced the adversity he has endured. "He definitely grew up in a different situation than I have, so his mentality is very different than mine," Rodriguez told MMA Fighting. "He's never been through the shit that I've been through in my life. Aside from being a great martial artist... everybody makes mistakes. No one's perfect."

Both fighters arrive on three-fight winning streaks and had previously pursued a matchup with former welterweight champion Leon Edwards. Rodriguez defeated Kevin Holland at UFC 318 last year in a thrilling brawl, while Medic's recent victory came in devastating fashion—he finished Geoff Neal in just over a minute at UFC Houston in February.

Rodriguez is unfazed by Medic's comments and confident in his striking prowess. He holds the record for most strikes landed per minute in UFC welterweight history and noted that Medic has struggled to advance past the first round, either finishing opponents early or being finished himself. "Come Saturday, I definitely feel like I'm gonna make him eat his words," Rodriguez said. A victory could position either fighter for a future shot at Edwards or other elite competition at 170 pounds.