Daniel Rodriguez has spoken out following a difficult return to the Octagon at UFC Belgrade.
After spending more than a year away from competition, Rodriguez stepped into hostile territory to face rising welterweight contender Uros Medic in the main event. The odds were stacked against “D-Rod” from the start, and things unraveled quickly when Medic landed a crushing shot just 30 seconds into the opening round, securing a first-round TKO victory.
While the loss marked a disappointing end to his comeback fight, Daniel Rodriguez isn’t allowing the setback to define him.
Shortly after UFC Belgrade, Rodriguez shared an honest reaction to the defeat on his Instagram Stories.
“F***, I loaded up on the jab and he beat me to the punch,” Rodriguez wrote. “S*** happens, I guess. Regardless of what just happened, I still can say I’m proud of myself for overcoming all that I have this past year.
“I was way out of shape when I got out of prison. We knew the risk coming out here and fighting this dude in his hometown and still took it. I’m gonna be in way better shape next time. F***ing hurts my heart losing. I’ll be better next time.”
The loss capped off an emotional return for Daniel Rodriguez, who had not competed since defeating Kevin Holland in July 2025. That victory extended his winning streak to three fights and followed impressive wins over Santiago Ponzinibbio and Alex Morono.
However, Rodriguez’s momentum came to a halt after he was arrested and imprisoned in Mexico in 2025 on a marijuana possession charge. He spent eight months behind bars before securing his release earlier this year.
Despite the lengthy layoff and the challenges he faced outside the cage, Rodriguez accepted one of the toughest assignments available by taking on Medic in front of the Serbian standout’s home crowd.
While the spotlight remains on Daniel Rodriguez and his comeback effort, the victory was another major statement for Medic.
Entering the fight as a sizable betting favorite, Medic lived up to expectations by delivering one of the quickest finishes of his UFC career. The win extended his unbeaten streak to four fights and further strengthened his position in the welterweight division.
With Rodriguez ranked just ahead of him before the matchup, Medic is expected to receive a significant boost when the UFC rankings are updated.
At 39 years old, Daniel Rodriguez understands that every opportunity inside the Octagon matters. The defeat dropped his UFC record to 10-5 and marked just the second knockout loss of his professional career.
