Better to be safe than sorry …
Following UFC Belgrade today (Sat., Aug. 1, 2026) inside Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia, promotion officials confirmed to MMAmania.com that two fighters were transported to a local hospital for precautionary reasons after sustaining damage in their respective bouts.
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The fighters transported were headliner Daniel Rodriguez and “Prelims” fighter Mark Vologdin.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 19: Daniel Rodriguez prepares to face Kevin Holland in a welterweight bout during the UFC 318 event at Smoothie King Center on July 19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)
Rodriguez (20-6) was taken to the hospital for a precautionary CT scan of his head and face after suffering a 30-second knockout loss to Uros Medic in the main event of UFC Belgrade (watch highlights).
“D-Rod” had his three-fight win streak snapped, which included a unanimous decision win over Kevin Holland at UFC 318, where the pair delivered an all-action war that many felt deserved “Fight of the Night” honors. He also knocked out Santiago Ponzinibbio (watch highlights) and scored a decision over Alex Morono during that run.
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Of course, just days after his win over Holland, the 39-year-old spent the next eight months incarcerated in a prison in Tijuana, Mexico (wild details here).
Not exactly ideal preparation for his first UFC main event
BELGRADE, SERBIA – AUGUST 01: Borislav Nikolic of Serbia punches Mark Vologdin of Russia in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Belgrade Arena on August 01, 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
Vologdin (12-5-2) was also taken to the hospital for a precautionary CT scan of his head and face following his three-round battle with UFC rookie Borislav Nikolic.
The 26-year-old Russian fell to 0-1-1 inside the Octagon after fighting to a draw in his UFC debut earlier this year.
I’m not sure if it is possible, but if Vologdin can make Flyweight, that should probably be the direction he goes. He is scrappy and tough, but Bantamweight is loaded with dangerous athletes, and size has already become a real issue.
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At this time, the results of the fighters’ scans have not been disclosed.
It is normal for UFC to transport fighters to the hospital for precautionary reasons, especially if the fighters are involved in three-round battles that are full of damage or after suffering nasty knockouts.
Stick with MMAmania.com for the fighters’ health-related updates.
For complete UFC Belgrade results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
