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UFC Belgrade Debut: Records, Injuries, and Aftermath

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2026-08-11 09:31 UTC → 2026-08-25 09:36 UTC · added ~~removed~~

UFC Belgrade Debut: Records, Injuries, and ~~Controversy~~ Aftermath

The UFC’s inaugural Serbian event at Belgrade Arena on August 1, 2026, was a record-breaking night marked by high finishes and political undertones. The event drew 18,623 fans and generated a $2.49 million gate, the highest in the venue’s history. The card featured a record eight Serbian fighters and produced 12 total finishes, including a UFC-wide record of ten first-round stoppages. In the main event, Uroš Medić secured a 30-second knockout of Daniel ~~Rodriguez, earning a $100,000 performance bonus.~~ Rodriguez. It was later revealed that Medić competed despite a dislocated knee sustained during ~~warmups; he~~ warmups, which caused immediate swelling. While initial tests suggested his ACL was intact, doctors suspected a meniscus tear. Medić, who attempted to hide his limp from media and his opponent, now requires arthroscopic surgery ~~but~~ and aims to return by the end of 2026. Following his win, ~~Medić~~ he challenged former champion Leon Edwards. ~~Other notable results included newcomer~~ Newcomer Navajo Stirling’s first-round TKO victory over Jan Blachowicz ~~at 2:56 of the first round, an upset that~~ is expected to propel Stirling into the top-five rankings. ~~Mateusz Rębecki~~ In the wake of the loss, Blachowicz—who has also ~~secured~~ been managing shoulder and knee issues—has resumed training in Warsaw. Blachowicz has publicly challenged former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker to a fight, urging him to “turn your words into action.” While Whittaker has previously expressed interest in Blachowicz, he has stated he will not fight teammates Stirling or Carlos Ulberg. Other notable results included Mateusz Rębecki’s 19-second TKO ~~victory, while~~ and heavyweight Aleksandar ~~Rakić defeated Marcin Tybura via~~ Rakić’s unanimous ~~decision.~~ decision win over Marcin Tybura. Following the event's success, Dana White expressed plans to return to Belgrade and gave a brief “Sure” when asked about potentially signing PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov. The event faced scrutiny due to political displays, including a large “President Trump — Serbia Welcomes You” banner and Borislav Nikolić entering the cage to a nationalist song referencing Kosovo, Dubrovnik, and Knin. ~~Following the success, Dana White expressed plans to return to Belgrade.~~

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