Main Card Results | UFC Belgrade

Rodriguez landed a hard low kick early that swept Medić to a knee, but he quickly climbed to his feet and got loose with his hands, landing a left hand that started “D-Rod” on a trip to the canvas. From there, the rising star followed up and secured the finish, sending the crowd into hysterics.

That’s now four straight first-round stoppage wins for “The Doctor,” who continues to establish himself as an ascending threat in the welterweight division. What an incredible way to close out an amazing night in Serbia!

Błachowicz wobbled Stirling with a stiff jab as the Contender Series grad looked to step in and thrown, forcing him to a knee. But Stirling steadied himself and sent the former champion stumbling backwards with a clean right hand soon after, chasing Błachowicz to the canvas and cracking him with heavy ground-and-pound that split him open and stopped the fight.

That’s now three stoppage wins this year, six consecutive wins in the UFC, and 11 wins in 11 starts for the 28-year-old City Kickboxing representative, who should climb into the Top 10 on the strength of another standout effort. With Stirling ending things in the opening stanza, Saturday’s card set a new record for most first-round finishes in the modern era at nine, with one more bout ahead.

The longtime light heavyweight contender was sharp in the first, landing the better blows and offering the greater output through the initial five minutes. As the pace slowed, Tybura was able to claw his way back into the fight, landing some solid blows in the second and third, but Rakić did well to respond and find an equal amount of success to stay ahead of the Polish stalwart.

For just the second time all evening, the judges were called upon to render the verdict, and all three saw it the same, awarding Rakić the much-needed win. After dropping four straight to end his light heavyweight tenure, this was the divisional newcomer’s first win since besting Thiago Santos at UFC 259 in early 2021, giving Rakić some positive momentum as he begins his journey in a new weight class.

This was a scramble-heavy grappling match between the two middleweights, with Valentin constantly able to find his way into dominant positions and look for submissions. Just when it seemed like Duško Todorović was turning the tables, he left his neck exposed for too long and Valentin pounced, clamping onto a high-elbow guillotine that drew an immediate tap.

That’s now consecutive wins for the fan favorite from Switzerland and a record-tying eighth first-round finish on the night. Valentin seems to have found the right team and his footing inside the Octagon, and a step up in competition might be in order next time out.

Cepo came out swinging and actually landed a couple good shots on Urbina, but his recklessness cost him, as “The RGV Bad Boy” dropped him with a stiff jab as he crashed forward. From there, the former TUF finalist followed him to the canvas and unloaded, battering Cepo with an unanswered barrage of strikes that prompted referee Marc Goddard to step in and halt the action.

Not only was this an emphatic finish for Urbina, but it was a much-needed win as well, as it halted a two-fight skid and set the newly minted middleweight on the right course. Urbina has always been an all-action competitor, so it will be curious to see how this transition to the 185-pound weight class works for him going forward.

The French athlete deadened the lead leg of Janičić with the first heavy low kick he landed, leaving his opponent struggling to stand. After spilling Janicic to the canvas, Gugnon followed him to the floor, climbing into mount, working around to the back, and instantly lacing up the fight-ending choke.

While the partisan crowd in Belgrade didn’t like the result, this was an outstanding showing for the 25-year-old newcomer, who advanced to 10-2 with the win and extended his winning streak to six, with all of the victories coming inside the distance. After such a quick and clean performance, a hasty return on the September fight card in Paris could be in the offing.