Uros Medic ticked all the boxes of a star-making performance at UFC Fight Night 283 with the most high-profile win of his career.
Although he's far from the biggest name on the roster, Medic (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) found himself as the centrepiece of the promotion's debut event in Serbia on Saturday. He trampled all the pressure of that stage and spotlight with a 30-second knockout of Daniel Rodriguez (20-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC) to get some further traction as a welterweight contender.
Not only did Medic send the fans home happy at Belgrade Arena by flattening Rodriguez in devastating fashion, but he made history in the process. Medic made it his fourth consecutive first-round knockout in UFC competition, which is only bested by two other fighters in company
history.
Although the quality of competition can be somewhat brought into question, there's no doubt Medic can crack with the best of them at 170 pounds. Not only that, but he has a confidence about him right now that is going to give him a little extra edge each time he steps into that cage.
Can Medic make a realistic run to the very top of perhaps the deepest weight class in the sport right now? It's hard to say. There are so many high-level fighters peaking right now at welterweight that confidently betting on one horse comes with mass risk.
Time is not necessarily on his Medic's side, either. At 33, one would assume this is the thick of his prime. He needs to hope for a big break and a big fight, and if he can get his post-fight callout of Leon Edwards (22-6 MMA, 14-5 UFC), that would be a good step.
Despite Edwards being on a rough run of three consecutive defeats, he still holds value as a former champion and could throttle Medic into a top five fight. Given the possibilities and who is available, it's not a bad thought for "The Doctor" to look for his next patient in "Rocky."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Uros Medic after UFC Belgrade win?
