Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is headed to Belgrade, Serbia, for the first time ever TODAY (Sat., Aug. 1, 2026), staging UFC Belgrade from inside Belgrade Arena, streaming live on Paramount+. Headlining the event will be a Welterweight fight between Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez. In the Light Heavyweight co-main event, former division champion, Jan Błachowicz, battles rising 205-pound contender, Navajo Stirling (on super short notice).
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BELGRADE, SERBIA – JULY 31: Uros Medic of Serbia poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at Belgrade Arena on July 31, 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
UFC BELGRADE CHEAT SHEET
What UFC event is on tonight? UFC Belgrade: “Medic vs. Rodriguez”
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Who is fighting tonight at UFC Belgrade? Uros Medic vs Daniel Rodriguez Welterweight fight is the five-round main event.
What time does UFC Belgrade start? TODAY (Sat., Aug. 1, 2026), beginning at 10 a.m. ET on Paramount+.
Where will UFC Belgrade take place? Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia.
How can I watch UFC Belgrade? Paramount+ “Prelims” undercard matches are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET on Paramount+, followed by the remaining main card balance on Paramount+ at 1 p.m. ET.
How do I bet on UFC Belgrade? Checkout the latest lines right here and bet at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Where can I get UFC Belgrade updates and results? Get full UFC Belgrade play-by-play updates and live coverage here!
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In case you haven’t noticed, Medic has been nothing but pure entertainment since first stepping foot inside the Octagon five years ago. All seven of his wins have come by way of knockout, five of those in the first round (like this one). But, that is nothing new for the Serbian slugger since all of his wins have come by some sort of stoppage. In fact, even in defeat, he has never gone the distance in his entire professional career, which is unheard of. Currently ranked No. 14, Medic has a chance to catapult himself closer to the Top 10 with another sizzling performance in front of his home crowd. As the wins pile up, the competition will only get tougher for “The Doctor,” which he would likely welcome if he ever wants to get into serious title consideration. But, what helps Medic be a great entertainer is having a willing dance partner ready to lay it all on the line to get the job done. And he has that in Rodriguez.
BELGRADE, SERBIA – JULY 31: Daniel Rodriguez poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night Belgrade official weigh-in at Crowne Plaza Belgrade on July 31, 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
Indeed, Rodriguez went from riding high with an impressive three-fight win streak from 2024-2025, to then disappearing without a trace. Months later, it was revealed that “D-Rod” was locked up in a Mexican jail for eight months after crossing the border with marijuana. But, that didn’t stop him from putting in work, revealing that he kept busy training inside with the help of some dangerous cartel members (seriously). After getting sprung, he was paired up against Leon Edwards, though that fight never came to fruition. Now, he gets the chance to take on a dangerous striker to show off the stuff he’s been working on behind bars (and in the gym, of course). Prior to his consecutive wins over Alex Morono, Santiago Ponzinibbio and Kevin Holland, that streak was preceded by three straight defeats; therefore, it’s a nice turnaround for the man who currently sits in the Top 15. That said, it’s been more than one year since he last stepped foot inside the Octagon, while Medic has won three fights via knockout during that same span. This fight has all the makings of an all-out war, and the winner will get a nice boost toward cracking UFC’s Top 10.
Original Card Vs. Actual Card/Injuries:
Uzbekistan’s Bogdan Guskov reacts during his men’s light heavyweight fight against Russia’s Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on July 25, 2026. (Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Bogdan Guskov was set to face Jan Blachowicz at this event before he was yanked to headline UFC Abu Dhabi (details here) against Magomed Ankaleav, which he lost via late technical knockout (watch highlights). As a result, Stirling agreed to step in to face Blachowicz. In addition, Ante Delija was linked to a fight against Johnny Walker before he was forced out with an undisclosed injury.
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New Blood & ‘Prelims:‘
BELGRADE, SERBIA – JULY 31: Michael Oliveira of Brazil poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at Belgrade Arena on July 31, 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Michael Oliveira has been nothing short of impressive throughout his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career, racking up an undefeated record (9-0) with eight knockouts, six straight to begin his career. The 28-year-old Brazilian bomber gets his chance to keep that momentum going on the big stage, taking on Oban Elliott, who is in desperate need of a win after losing his last two fights, a drastic downfall after starting off his UFC career with three straight wins.
Marina Spasic will make her UFC debut after making her professional MMA debut just five short years ago. She has racked up a 7-1 record in that time with six knockouts to boast of. The talented Serbian Strawweight will face off against Stephanie Luciano, who is 2-1 so far under the UFC banner.
BELGRADE, SERBIA – JULY 31: Jovan Leka of Serbia poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at Belgrade Arena on July 31, 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Another Serbian newcomer will get his chance to shine on the big stage in his debut as Heavyweight slugger, Jovan Leka, eyes his seventh straight wins when he battles Alexander Poppeck — who will also be making his promotional debut — in a big man showdown. This will likely end in a finish since Leka has seven knockouts to his credit, while heavy-handed Poppeck has finished 13 of his foes via strikes.
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Nina Milosevic is riding an eight-fight win streak into her UFC debut and is a great talent who is ready to add some depth to the women’s Bantamweight division. She has secured five stoppages during her run, so she is more than capable of making an impact right away. She will battle Hailey Cowan, who came into her UFC debut back in April 2023 having won seven of her last eight fights, including a win on Contender Series. But, she has failed to do much inside the Octagon, losing all three of her fights. Now, she comes into this fight with immense pressure to secure a win in her fourth try against a newcomer or face getting cut.
More local talent is headed its way to the Octagon for the first time as Borislav Nikolic brings his six-fight win streak to the cage, which includes six stoppages. His opponent, Mark Vologdin, doesn’t have a ton of experience in the big leagues, either, as his UFC debut against Paul Castaneda resulted in a majority draw just three months ago.
After starting off his UFC career with a loss to Myktybek Orolbai, former Bellator MMA standout, Tofiq Musayev, bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Ignacio Bahamondes. He looks to build a streak when he takes on Ludovit Klein in a Lightweight scrap. Klein has been quietly racking up a nice record over his last nine outings inside the Octagon to the tune of a 7-1-1 mark.
BELGRADE, SERBIA – JULY 31: (L-R) Opponents Vlasto Cepo of Serbia and Gilbert Urbina face off during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at Belgrade Arena on July 31, 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
We have another (you guessed it) Serbian rookie looking to make a splash in front of the hometown crowd as Vlasto Cepo will face Gilbert Urbina in a Middleweight fight. Cepo’s 14 victories have all been stoppages and he has only gone the distance once in his entire career. Urbina, meanwhile, needs a win in the worst way after getting knocked out in the first round in his last two fights.
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It’s rare that we have two newcomers make their debuts against each other on a main card, but that is the case with Milos Jancic vs. Noah Gugnon. Jancic is currently on an eight-fight win streak (five knockouts, three submissions). In fact, all 19 of his wins have come by stoppage so he knows nothing, but keeping his foot on the gas pedal. As for Gugnon, he has won his last five fights, four in the first round. This should be a high-paced and exciting outing.
Who Needs A Win Badly:
BELGRADE, SERBIA – JULY 31: (L-R) Opponents Mateusz Rebecki of Poland and Kyle Prepolec of Canada face off during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at Belgrade Arena on July 31, 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
Mateusz Rebecki vs. Kyle Prepolec will battle in what can only be descried as a “Loser Leaves Town” match. Rebecki is currently on a three-fight losing streak and has lost four of his last five fights. As for Prepolec, he is 0-2 inside the Octagon after dropping back-to-back outings against Drew Dober and Benoit Saint-Denis. If he drops his third straight, he will likely not get a fourth opportunity to make an impression.
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We are going to double up in this section this week because Bogdan Grad and Dennis Buzukja each need wins in the worst way to avoid getting pink slips in the next round of roster cuts. Grad is currently on a two-fight losing streak and is just 1-2 under UFC’s banner. As for Buzukja, he is just 1-4 during his short run with the promotion, so another poor showing could lead to his departure.
Interest Level: 6.5/10:
BELGRADE, SERBIA – JULY 31: (L-R) Opponents Jan Blachowicz of Poland and Navajo Stirling of New Zealand face off during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at Belgrade Arena on July 31, 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
Blachowicz has not had his hand raised in victory in four years. In his last four fights, he lost to Alex Pereira and Carlos Ulberg, while fighting to draws against Magomed Ankalaev and Bogdan Guskov. The former 205-pound champion desperately needs a win when he goes up against Stirling, who accepted the short-notice fight after a “massive bender.” Stirling has been perfect throughout his career, racking up a 10-0 mark, which includes going 5-0 inside the Octagon. In his last two wins, he knocked out Ion Cutelaba and Bruno Lopes — both in the second round. A win over a former champion like Blachowicz would catapult Stirling into the Top 10, where he is currently unranked. As for Blachowicz, he currently sits at No. 4; therefore, a win here will get him closer to the championship conversation once more.
BELGRADE, SERBIA – JULY 31: (L-R) Opponents Dusko Todorovic of Montenegro and Robert Valentin of Switzerland face off during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at Belgrade Arena on July 31, 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Both Dusko Todorovic and Robert Valentin snapped their three-fight losing streaks in their last outings. Todorovic submitted Jose Medina in Sept. 2026 in the first round, his first win in three years. As for Valentin, he got back on the winning track by defeating Julien Leblanc via first round submission earlier this year. Now, the two will throw down against each other to see who can make it two straight for the first time in a long time.
BELGRADE, SERBIA – JULY 31: (L-R) Opponents Aleksandar Rakic of Austria and Marcin Tybura of Poland face off during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at Belgrade Arena on July 31, 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
There was a time when Aleksandar Rakic was considered to be a legit threat to the Light Heavyweight crown after beginning his UFC career with a 6-1 record with big wins over the likes of Jimi Manuwa, Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos, among others. But, since 2022 “Rocket” has gone on a cold streak, losing four straight fights. Looking for a new lease on his combat life, Rakic decided to move up to Heavyweight for a fresh start (details here), facing off against Marcin Tybura in his debut in the division. Tybura has also seen better days, losing his last two fight against Ante Delija and Tyrell Fortune.
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Enjoy the fights!
Full UFC Belgrade Fight Card:
BELGRADE, SERBIA – JULY 31: (L-R) Opponents Uros Medic of Serbia and Daniel Rodriguez face off during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at Belgrade Arena on July 31, 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
UFC Belgrade Main Event on Paramount+:
170 lbs.: Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez
UFC Belgrade Main Card on Paramount+ (1 p.m. ET):
205 lbs.: Jan Błachowicz vs. Navajo Stirling
265 lbs.: Marcin Tybura vs. Aleksandar Rakic
185 lbs.: Dusko Todorovic vs. Robert Valentin
185 lbs.: Vlasto Cepo vs. Gilbert Urbina
155 lbs.: Milos Janicic vs. Noah Gugnon
UFC Belgrade ‘Prelims’ Card on Paramount+ (10 a.m. ET):
155 lbs.: Ludovit Klein vs. Tofiq Musayev
170 lbs.: Oban Elliott vs. Michael Oliveira
135 lbs.: Mark Vologdin vs. Borislav Nikolic
145 lbs.: Bogdan Grad vs. Dennis Buzukja
155 lbs.: Mateusz Rebecki vs. Kyle Prepolec
135 lbs.: Nina Milosevic vs. Hailey Cowan
265 lbs.: Jovan Leka vs. Alexander Poppeck
115 lbs.: Marina Spasic vs. Stephanie Luciano
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*Fight card, bout order and number of fights subject to change.*
